Trump faces Iran crisis with fewer experienced advisers and strained relations with traditional allies

Presidents on the brink of war tend to rely on an array of Oval Office assets: teams of experienced advisers, trusted sources of intelligence, strong ties with U.S. allies and credibility with the broad American public.

For President Trump those assets may be in short supply as he faces the prospect of an escalating conflict with Iran.

Trump’s decision to approve an airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Iran’s paramilitary Quds Force, came at a moment in his presidency when his national security team has been depleted by waves of departures and distracted by months of impeachment hearings before Congress. Continue reading.