In the world of geopolitical chess, President Trump appears to be making moves that scream, “Checkmate!” as tensions with Iran reach a fever pitch. One might think that Trump was gifted a crystal ball telling him exactly when to thumb his nose at Iran, but alas, it’s just good old strategic brilliance. He set a deadline for talks about their nuclear ambitions, and wouldn’t you know it—Iran shrugged, and then faced consequences they didn’t see coming. The phrase “big powerful ships” heading in Iran’s direction is enough to cause any regime to quiver, and it seems the Ayatollah might be sweating a bit under that turban.
While Iran might be standing tall in defiance on the surface, behind the curtains, there seems to be a hum of “serious” conversations with the U.S. Trump has been very open about his belief in making a deal—something agreeable, with a clear stipulation: no nuclear weapons. It’s almost like a broken record at this point, and one can’t help but chuckle at the simplicity and straightforwardness of the demand. It seems the Iranian leadership might finally be understanding that their game of nuclear chicken is outdated, and the U.S. isn’t interested in playing along.
All the while, the Iranian people are amid a renewed push for freedom, as protests grow in number and in spirit. The previous administration sat in silence when the people needed the loudest voice echoing from the West, but the current narrative is different. Trump and his team are actively discussing stronger support for these protesters, who face real and severe danger from their own government. A regime that silences its citizens with violence doesn’t scream stability, and the U.S. is making it clear where they stand. No more tiptoeing around with softly worded press releases—it’s about maximum pressure and supporting human rights.
Switching the focus to Cuba, it’s evident that the Caribbean is also feeling tremors from the strategic moves of the Trump administration. Cuba’s Marxist regime stumbles over its failed policies, mostly due to its own inefficiencies. Once bolstered by Venezuela’s riches, Cuba finds itself trying to stay buoyant in an economic sinkhole, with its lifeline cut off. The U.S. is ready to play nice, but only if Cuba takes a critical look at its leadership choices and policies, making the necessary changes to stop the bleed.
In both Iran and Cuba, the message is as unmistakable as it is unwavering: Make deals that benefit your people or keep bearing the brunt of policies designed to restrict and isolate oppressive regimes. With the current administration’s stance, it’s clear as day they are not in the mood to play nice with regimes dragging their people through the mud. To the Ayatollah, the State Department’s memo is crystal clear, even if he isn’t tuning into American broadcasts: Cut the malign activities, come to the table, or expect consequences as enduring as Trump’s tweets. And that, dear readers, is how you negotiate—Trump style.
