Trump Struggles to Navigate Crisis, Axios Reports

The conflict between the U.S. and Iran marks the first instance where President Donald Trump is unable to resolve the situation through improvisation or negotiation, reports Axios, citing government sources.

Trump risks falling between his own expectations and the reality of war. The American leader is banking on a rapid and clear victory; however, unlike tariffs that can be quickly imposed and lifted, the outcome of military operations does not depend on unilateral decisions, the publication notes.

Axios emphasizes that Trump risks falling into an "escalation trap," where the more powerful side is interested in continuing attacks to demonstrate its superiority, even as its effectiveness diminishes.