During his first six months of his second term, President Donald Trump authorized 529 US air strikes across the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa, nearing the total number of strikes (555) conducted by the Biden administration during its entire term. This surge, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), includes at least 44 strikes in Somalia and a six-week bombing campaign in Yemen. Vice President JD Vance described the administration's approach as the "Trump Doctrine," emphasizing a swift use of overwhelming military force after failed diplomatic efforts.

Critics, such as Michael Wahid Hanna of Crisis Group, argue that the administration's diplomatic approach has been "haphazard" and that the claim of a coherent strategy is a "retrofit." Emily Tripp of Airwars highlights the high number of civilian casualties resulting from these strikes, including potential war crimes, and questions the administration's transparency regarding civilian casualty investigations.

The impact of this surge in air strikes on long-term US foreign policy goals remains unclear. While a tenuous ceasefire currently exists with the Houthis, the effectiveness of the strikes in achieving stated objectives is questionable. The strategy also raises concerns about the potential for escalating conflicts and the long-term consequences of prioritizing swift military action over diplomatic solutions.