Gen. Dan Caine Navigates Trump’s Iran War Pressure with Caution and Strategy

TL;DR
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, is quietly weighing a broad set of Iran-related military options while trying to avoid direct clashes with President Trump, expressing concerns about the complexity, risks, and casualties of a potential regime-change scenario. He has coordinated a substantial U.S. military buildup in the Middle East, yet emphasizes presenting a full spectrum of options rather than advocating a single path, aiming to insulate the military from politicization while maintaining access to the president and balancing tension with Defense Secretary Hegseth.
- Balancing act: Top general tries to avoid conflict with Trump while preparing for possible war with Iran CNN
- For Trump, Military Strike in Iran Could Serve Symbolic Purpose The New York Times
- Trump Says Iran Resumed Its Pursuit of ‘Sinister’ Nuclear Aims Bloomberg
- Trump said Iran will 'soon' have missiles able to hit the U.S. A 2025 intel report said it will take 10 years. NBC News
- Trump says he prefers diplomacy, but lays the case for war with Iran Axios
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on CNN