Trump's Gamble on Diplomacy Falls Flat The recent crisis in the Middle East was supposed to be a defining moment for Donald Trump's foreign policy legacy, but instead it has exposed his administration's muddled thinking and penchant for brinksmanship.
The decision to call off planned military strikes against Iran in anticipation of a "rapidly" reached deal on its nuclear program and the full reopening of the strait of Hormuz raises more questions than answers.
The US president's claim that he was persuaded by requests from Iran and other countries in the region to pause the strikes is dubious, given Iranian leaders' denial of any such request.