SLAPPED DOWN: Trump Just Told Israel AND NATO No — Here's Why

President Trump publicly rejected Israel's strike on Iran's South Pars gas field and criticized NATO for refusing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, arguing both reflect a long-running “Great Game” strategy centered on energy choke points and instability. 

Susan Kokinda says these moves follow Trump's December National Security Strategy, which prioritizes avoiding “forever wars,” preventing adversaries from dominating Middle East energy routes, and making choke-point leverage obsolete through American energy independence. She highlights administration comments that Israel “doesn’t hate the chaos” while the U.S. wants stability, and notes shifting U.S. political dynamics as figures in both parties question allies who won’t contribute. 

Kokinda points to new U.S.-Japan agreements—over $60B in U.S. natural gas investment, $40B for small modular nuclear reactors, and deep-sea critical minerals cooperation—as the model for a new, nation-to-nation strategic architecture. ---More...