# Where does Trump's military adventurism stop? What are the consequences of that to the US? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 3, 2026, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315 "2026-01-03T19:26:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/61 "2026-01-04T23:29:36Z")
Child Trump has felt the power of the US military at his fingertips. It is addictive. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/62 "2026-01-04T23:36:54Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > If you’re thinking “surely the international community will stop this”, well, the US is (was) the primary muscle in all those organizations. It existed mainly to keep the secondary muscle (Russia and China) in check, so they’ll be thrilled to watch Trump ruin the UN, ICC, and the US itself I think you’re correct about all that. But I also think that the biggest multinational corporations are a factor that might work against Donald’s continued reign. If the men (mostly) running them come to believe that Donald is a threat to their continued power and wealth, then they will push those they own on the Cabinet to move toward the 25th Amendment, and/or those they own in Congress to move toward impeachment-and-removal. > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Realistically short of a nuclear war he’s in no personal danger … Some have opined that the main purpose of “The Ballroom” is a large underground facility in which Donald does confidently plan to live though nuclear retaliation against whatever nukes he decides to send out. Of course it’s doubtful that they will manage to put a _full_ 18-hole golf course down there. So perhaps the opinions are mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/63 "2026-01-04T23:38:36Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > What aggressive pushbacks are you thinking of? It will not happen fast but these countries can, and probably will, wean themselves off of US support. Stop military cooperation. Reduce spending on US military items. Get rid of US military bases in their country. And so on… The US had power in the world…that will be diminished in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2026, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/64 "2026-01-04T23:39:47Z")
The new Hermit Kingdom. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/65 "2026-01-05T00:07:31Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > It really comes down to pushback from those around him and what motivates him _as_ a narcissist who wants to do everything his own way while at the same time valuing the opinions of others in an outsize manner. The problem with the pushback part is that it’s non existent in this second term. I don’t think adventurism in Venezuela would have occurred with his first term advisors, but the guardrails have been removed this time around. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/66 "2026-01-05T00:18:21Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Stephen Miller’s wife What??? The creepiest man alive, the ghoul from behind the grave, the bone-chilling horror of a man… has a wife??? The poor woman. She made a mistake there. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/67 "2026-01-05T00:30:22Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > The poor woman. She made a mistake there. She worked for Elon Musk, rumor is he’s boning her. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/68 "2026-01-05T00:32:05Z")
Moderating: > [@scudsucker](#): > > What??? The creepiest man alive, the ghoul from behind the grave, the bone-chilling horror of a man… has a wife??? > > The poor woman. She made a mistake there. > [@madmonk28](#): > > She worked for Elon Musk, rumor is he’s boning her. None of this has anything to do with the topic at hand. Drop it now here, and if you wish to discuss further, take it to another thread. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/69 "2026-01-05T01:39:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Can you point out where he actually cares about this? NATO doesn’t even care about this: > **[Trump vows to annex Greenland as he sits next to NATO secretary general](https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-vows-annex-greenland-sits-180654737.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall)** > > Former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte, now the NATO Secretary-General, declined to respond to Trump’s belligerent remarks ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/70 "2026-01-05T01:50:28Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > Child Trump has felt the power of the US military at his fingertips. It is addictive. Good Lord, I hope not…but I suspect you are right. In another thread, though, @PhillyGuy noted: > Trump has repeatedly stated that the U.S. lost no troops in Venezuela, and even mentioned a lack of serious injuries. This is a tell that he is highly casualty adverse. Panama and Greenland should have this in mind as a weakness of the current administration. If Trump thinks even a dozen U.S. troops will die, he will hesitate . ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/71 "2026-01-05T02:22:51Z")
Significant, dozen plus, C-17 moves to UK. Cargo came from Special Forces bases like Campbell and Bragg. SF helicopters from the 160th. Tiltrotor V-22 also spotted. The distraction operation is in full swing. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/72 "2026-01-05T02:26:51Z")
What are you speculating? Serious question. I won’t hold you to it if it turns out to be something else. You just seem to have a better sense of this than I would. ETA - I did find this: > **[Trump orders special forces to Europe as US 'prepares new attack on Iran'](https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2153417/donald-trump-orders-special-forces-europe-iran-attack/amp)** > > Experts say that the planes, combined with departure locations and routing patterns, are consistent with the movement of special operations aviation units. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/73 "2026-01-05T02:38:48Z")
If Iran, the cargo and aircraft would have been dropped closer to the theater. Trump was again babbling on about Greenland and Defense. Might be a SF exercise. I speculate a Greenland grab while drunk on power. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/74 "2026-01-05T02:39:28Z")
I think it’s about establishing a “new world order.” No more global organizations like the UN or NATO. It’s about certain countries controlling their region- Russia wants Europe, China gets Asia and others in that region, USA gets the Americas. I think this is what Putin’s been whispering into the ear of Trump for years, and now Trump’s saying it out loud with all the talk of annexing Canada and Greenland and being unstoppable in regards to Mexico and Venezuela et al. Global orgs makes the big fish authoritarian nut balls feel small cuz they have to answer to “lesser” nations. These new “spheres of influence” would make these power-hungry assholes seem bigger in _their_ part of the world. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/75 "2026-01-05T02:44:37Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > In another thread, though, @PhillyGuy noted: > > > Trump has repeatedly stated that the U.S. lost no troops in Venezuela, and even mentioned a lack of serious injuries. This is a tell that he is highly casualty adverse. Panama and Greenland should have this in mind as a weakness of the current administration. If Trump thinks even a dozen U.S. troops will die, he will hesitate > > . I should feel complimented at being quoted. However, when I look at what I wrote above, my confidence in Trump being highly casualty adverse is fading. Sometimes, yes. But he regards the people I’m claiming he doesn’t want to be killed as losers and suckers. So – let’s say that an operation is guaranteed to have high casualties, he probably won’t do that. But if he can hope for zero casualties, even though it is unlikely, he’ll go for it. That’s why he likes bombing. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/76 "2026-01-05T02:48:02Z")
Sounds about right. I’d say there’s a 90% chance he’ll order another strike somewhere, as big or bigger than the Venezuela one, in the next six months…but about a 35% chance it will involve boots on the ground (and therefore American body bags). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/77 "2026-01-05T02:56:32Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I think it’s about establishing a “new world order.” No more global organizations like the UN or NATO. It’s about certain countries controlling their region- Russia wants Europe, China gets Asia and others in that region, USA gets the Americas. Who gets the Middle East? ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/78 "2026-01-05T03:04:01Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Russia wants Europe The problem with this theory is, there’s no way Russia can get Europe. They’ve struggled for years now just to get a piece of Ukraine. Russian conventional forces wouldn’t last a week in a shooting war with a unified Europe, and their nukes won’t matter, because Europe has nukes too. There’s no scenario in which Russia owns any part of Europe that isn’t just an irradiated wasteland. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/79 "2026-01-05T03:07:08Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > The problem with this theory is, there’s no way Russia can get Europe. They’ve struggled for years now just to get a piece of Ukraine. But that’s what Putin wants. And getting the US to pull support helps facilitate the takeover of Ukraine. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315/80 "2026-01-05T03:16:10Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I think it’s about establishing a “new world order.” No more global organizations like the UN or NATO. It’s about certain countries controlling their region- Russia wants Europe, China gets Asia and others in that region, USA gets the Americas. So, Eurasia, Eastasia, and Oceania? I’ve been thinking that for a bit. The more Trump talks about Greenland, Panama, and Canada; and now with his action in Venezuela, it seems like he’d really love to be in charge of Oceania—er, I mean, the Americas. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315.md?page=5)