The illusion of controlled war

As of May 2026, the U.S. approach to international conflict is characterized by a high-stakes, transactional balancing act – using aggressive, limited military actions (“maximum pressure”) while simultaneously attempting to avoid full-scale, direct war. The multiple dimensions of U.S. escalation management include various key factors: One of USA’s calculated military posture stems from the Trump administration being focused on using targeted strikes, economic sanctions, and naval deployments to achieve objectives, rather than engaging in prolonged, boots-on-the-ground wars. In early May 2026, the U.S. announced the end of “Operation Epic Fury,” a campaign targeting Iranian infrastructure. While Washington claimed success, critics saw a, dangerous deadlock and an attempt to reset the 60-day war powers clock without initiating a wider war. The […]