One of the features of Trump's military doctrine which stands out in stark contrast to many of his predecessors is its apparent concern for human life.
A day after Iran shot down the U.S. drone on June 20, Trump approved military strikes on Iran in retaliation — but then abruptly cancelled them. “We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night on 3 different sights when I asked, how many will die. 150 people, sir, was the answer from a General,” Trump wrote in a tweet on June 21. “10 minutes before the strike I stopped it, not.....proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone.”So, the response became targeted and limited--focused upon those responsible within Iran and its allies. The reason? To save human life--particularly those who were not responsible. We struggle to recall a similar kind of decision by a sitting US President--although doubtless there are some.
Days later, Trump signed an executive order imposing what he called “hard-hitting” new sanctions on Iran. “We will continue to increase pressure on Tehran until the regime abandons its dangerous activities,” including its nuclear ambitions, Trump said on June 24. The new sanctions denied Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his office access to key financial resources. The sanctions also targeted Iranian military leaders who were responsible for shooting down the drone. [CNBC]
There, we suggest, is a military doctrine about which we could get pleased, if not excited.
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