2 hours ago
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Welcome to The Logoff: Donald Trump is seeking assistance with the conflict he initiated.
What’s happening? Over the weekend, Trump posted that “many” countries “will be sending War Ships” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea passage bordered by Iran.
In his post, Trump mentioned “China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others” as potential participants in the effort to reopen the Strait. On Monday, he added, “I have to tell you, we have some [countries] that are really enthusiastic. They’re coming already.”
However, so far, Trump has not found many supporters; several NATO countries, including Germany, Italy, and Spain, have declined, as have other nations.
Why is Trump so focused on the Strait? About one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely closed since earlier this month following US and Israeli attacks on Iran. This closure is causing significant economic and political challenges for Trump: average gas prices in the US have risen nearly 80 cents compared to a month ago, reaching almost $3.72 per gallon.
Historian Gregory Brew told my colleague Eric Levitz last week that the Hormuz closure represents “the largest supply shock in history.” Even if the Strait reopens soon, Brew said, prices could remain high through 2027.
What’s the big picture? Trump entered the Iran conflict on a strong note. In January, a high-risk US military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro succeeded without US casualties. US strikes on two Iranian nuclear facilities last June also succeeded with minimal Iranian retaliation.
Now, despite these military successes, the situation is more complicated. Trump lacks a clear option to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and the response from US allies so far indicates that support is unlikely.
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And with that, it’s time to log off…
Trump’s post on Truth Social wasn’t the only event over the weekend; it was also the Oscars! I enjoyed this piece from my colleague Alex Abad-Santos about the movie Sinners and why it didn’t ultimately need a Best Picture win to cap its historic run. Have a great evening, and we’ll see you back here tomorrow!
