Trump Threatens 15 Nations with Military Strikes During His Presidency

Istanbul (ANTARA) - US President Donald Trump has threatened, or actually carried out, attacks on 15 countries during his two terms in office, or approximately one in 13 nations globally, according to a CNN report. Trump added Oman to the list on Wednesday (27 May), warning that the country would ’ be blown up’ by the US military if it attempts to control the Strait of Hormuz alongside Iran. ‘Oman must behave like other nations, or we will have to destroy them,’ Trump said during a cabinet meeting at the White House. The report stated that Trump’s remarks appear to have been made casually rather than as part of an official policy announcement, but reflect a broader pattern in his foreign policy where threats of military force are recurrent. Oman is at least the 15th country to have been threatened with attack, not ruled out, or actually targeted by Trump during his presidency. Almost all such incidents occurred in the first 16 months of his second term, though some spanned both terms. During his current term, Trump has launched strikes in seven countries: Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Some of these countries were also targeted during his first term. This number does not include strikes against vessels suspected of involvement in drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific, which CNN reported targeted nearly 60 ships and killed over 190 people. Trump has also threatened or opened the possibility of strikes against other countries during his second term, including Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Greenland (a Danish territory), Mexico, Panama, and Oman. During his first term (2017-2021), Trump also threatened Mexico and North Korea. The nature of these threats and strikes varies. Some, such as those in Iraq, specifically targeted terrorist groups rather than the respective governments. Others were indirect, with Trump refusing to rule out military options. However, the data shows how frequently Trump has invoked the potential use of military force in his statements. According to the report, the countries threatened or attacked by Trump encompass roughly one in 11 of the global population, meaning most of the world’s people have reason to consider the possibility of US military action under Trump’s leadership. The Middle East has been a key focus, with Trump threatening or targeting five countries in the region: Iran, Iraq, Oman, Syria, and Yemen. The report also noting that Trump’s threats and strikes span four of the six populated continents: Africa, Asia, North America, and South America. Trump technically threatened Denmark through discussions about potentially taking over Greenland, a Danish territory in North America. In some cases, Trump’s comments went beyond military threats and suggested territorial expansion. Of the 15 countries threatened or attacked, five have been cited by Trump as possible additions to US territory or targets for American control: Canada, Cuba, Greenland, Panama (specifically the Panama Canal), and Venezuela.