Americano End of America’s empire?
8 snips
Mar 31, 2026 
Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of The National Interest and Spectator columnist, offers sharp foreign policy commentary. He discusses the strategic nightmare of the Strait of Hormuz. He weighs risks of U.S. withdrawal and regional consequences. He examines Trump's decision-making, global energy fallout, and whether American power is waning.
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Trump's Claim Of Victory Is Misleading
- Trump publicly frames withdrawal as empowerment for allies but his claims Iran is "decimated" are false and premature.
- Jacob Heilbrunn warns US hasn't won and unilateral exit won't stop Iranian attacks or global energy pain.
Strait Of Hormuz Is The Hard Part
- Closing the Strait of Hormuz is the central military challenge because mines and asymmetric attacks can deny access long-term.
- Heilbrunn argues Iran now demonstrably controls the choke point and can exert economic blackmail.
Don't Rely On A Quick Ground Raid For Uranium
- Avoid a risky rapid ground seizure of dispersed uranium sites because it would require holding territory and likely escalate into a dangerous ground war.
- Heilbrunn calls such a mission extremely dangerous with slender odds of success.