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Fortune
Fortune
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Steven Tian

Trump's Iran War looks improvised. It isn't. Here's the playbook he's been running for decades

trump (Credit: Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)

For many observers, Donald Trump’s prosecution of the war against Iran has been nothing short of confounding — contradictory remarks, a seemingly improvisational strategy, and a nonchalance toward risks and costs that would paralyze a traditional commander-in-chief.

A century and a half ago, author John Churton Collins advised, “In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends.” America’s allies are confused. Pundits are reeling. But the surprise is misplaced.

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