ABC News Daily How Donald Trump caught 'victory disease'
Mar 12, 2026
Tom Nichols, staff writer at The Atlantic and foreign policy commentator, breaks down why he calls it 'victory disease'. He explores unclear endgames, shifting objectives, and strategic incompetence in the White House. He compares misreads of Iran to past foreign-policy mistakes and examines how small wins can lead to dangerous overreach.
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Strategic Incompetence Behind The Iran Campaign
- The Trump administration lacks a coherent strategy in the Iran war despite military successes.
- Tom Nichols says the White House shows 'strategic incompetence' and often substitutes TV-friendly moves for deep planning.
Messaging Shaped By Market Sensitivities
- Trump tailors public statements to multiple audiences, using optimistic claims to stabilise markets.
- Nichols notes market reactions rise when Trump says 'we're wrapping it up' and fall when he warns the war will last.
Iran Was Prepared Not To Capitulate
- Trump underestimated Iran's readiness to retaliate because Tehran has prepared for US attack for decades.
- Nichols compares Trump's expectation of quick collapse to Putin's misreading of Ukraine in 2022.