By Josh Moreton
Donald Trump has always understood one fundamental truth: perception is reality. When the narrative is slipping, when the markets wobble, and when the headlines aren’t playing in your favour – change the story. Enter Yemen.
In a move dripping with strategic intent, Trump ordered a series of devastating airstrikes on the Iranian-backed Houthis in Sanaa. Officially, the operation was about securing the Red Sea shipping lanes and deterring Iranian aggression. But scratch beneath the surface, and the timing tells its own tale.
A war for the cameras?
The strikes, precise and punishing, took out Houthi radars, air defenses, and missile sites. It was a show of brute force, a reminder that America still holds the biggest stick. But was it a necessary military manoeuvre, or was it necessary for Trump’s political survival?
Because while missiles were lighting up the skies over Yemen, Wall Street was in freefall. Tech stocks were tanking. Tesla’s global sales were sliding amid growing consumer discontent. The trade war with China, reignited by Trump’s tariffs, had sent the markets into a spin. The President needed a reset button.
Reading Tehran the riot act
Trump didn’t just hit the Houthis – he sent a very public warning shot to Tehran. The message was clear: America will not tolerate proxy aggression. It was classic Trumpian theater – loud, aggressive, and aimed squarely at his base.
But here’s the problem: wars rarely go to script. Iran won’t sit idle, and retaliation could come in the form of cyber attacks, oil price surges, or asymmetric warfare in the Gulf. The UK, already stretched by global commitments, could be drawn into a spiraling crisis.
The verdict: Smart move or short-term fix?
For now, Trump has reclaimed the narrative. He’s talking strength while his opponents argue nuance. The markets may be rattled, but his voter base sees a leader who “doesn’t mess around.”
But the bigger question remains: will this strategy hold when the dust settles? Because wars – both economic and military – have a habit of outliving their PR spin. And for Trump, the real battle may be just beginning.
