US President Donald Trump has threatened to strike Oman if it tries to control the Strait of Hormuz together with Iran. This is the 15th country that Trump has threatened or conducted military operations against during his presidency. The vast majority of such threats and strikes occurred in Trump's second term, underscoring his aggressive foreign policy.
Briefly about the main points
- Trump threatens to strike Oman over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Five of these countries are located in the Middle East.
- The list includes countries on four continents, including Canada and Cuba.
- Threats cover about 1/11 of the world's population.
Trump's threats as a new stage of escalation
President of the United States Donald Trump said at a Cabinet meeting at the White House that Oman would «behave like everyone else, or we'll take them down», hinting at a possible military strike. This statement came as a surprise, as it sounded like a spontaneous comment, demonstrating Trump's characteristic unpredictability in foreign policy.
The scale of the US aggressive policy
Oman became the 15th country that Trump has either threatened military action or directly attacked during his two terms in office. The vast majority of these cases occurred in the first 16 months of his second term, when he struck Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. In addition, the United States has targeted some 60 vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific in its fight against drug trafficking.
Geography of threats and attacks
Trump's threats or military actions cover countries on four continents: Africa, Asia, North and South America. Among the countries threatened are Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Greenland (Danish territory), Mexico, Panama and Oman. Five of the 15 countries are in the Middle East, This emphasises the focus on the region from a geopolitical perspective.
Demographic and political influence
The countries targeted by threats or strikes account for about 1/11 of the world's population, which underscores the scale of the potential threat. Trump considers five of these countries as possible territorial acquisitions of the United States, including Canada and Cuba, Greenland, Panama and Venezuela.
The policy of unpredictability and its consequences
According to the concept of “madman theory”, Trump seeks to create an image of an unpredictable leader in order to force his opponents to make concessions. However, such tactics lead to increased tensions in the world, particularly in strategically important regions such as the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's threats against Oman could lead to a new wave of conflicts in the region, which is of global importance for energy security and international stability.
