Bill Kristol: Trump's Revenge Tour Is Backfiring

In this episode of The Bulwark, host Tim Miller and editor-at-large Bill Kristol dissect the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran following a series of missile strikes and naval skirmishes in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump’s response—publicly declaring a 'Project Freedom' to free ships and deploying 15,000 troops and 100 aircraft—has drawn skepticism from both analysts and allies. Kristol argues that Trump’s foreign policy actions lack a coherent strategy, with no clear endgame beyond posturing. The episode highlights growing domestic and international costs, including rising oil and gas prices, strained alliances, and a lack of credible rationale for continued military escalation. Despite Trump’s public bravado, Kristol suggests the administration is running out of plausible narratives, especially as key Republican figures like John Cornyn and the Scotts struggle to justify the economic toll. The conversation underscores a growing unease among even Trump’s supporters about the sustainability of the current approach.