Judging Freedom LtCOL. Karen Kwiatkowski : Trump’s Blunders Haunt Him
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May 12, 2026 
LtCol. Karen Kwiatkowski, retired Air Force officer and national security critic, offers a sharp, skeptical take on U.S. policy in the Middle East. She discusses control of the Strait of Hormuz and why U.S. blockades fall short. She critiques political theater, alliance limits, munitions shortages, and the strategic costs of overreach.
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Fake Blockade Of The Strait Of Hormuz
- The U.S. claimed a so-called blockade of the Strait of Hormuz but it functions as a propaganda show rather than a real blockade.
- Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski explains a real blockade requires total shutdown and says current operations are incomplete and ineffective.
Iran Retains Practical Control Of The Strait
- Iran still controls the Strait of Hormuz and can monetize and regulate traffic through its territorial waters.
- Kwiatkowski warns U.S. pretensions to control the strait risk inspiring other nations to assert similar fees and control over international causeways.
Territorial Claims Shape Strait Control
- Claiming wider territorial waters shifted norms from 3 to 12.5 miles, effectively splitting narrow straits between adjacent states.
- Kwiatkowski highlights the Strait's 25-mile width means Iran controls the deep channel needed for large ships.