The Trump administration's approach to foreign and security policy has revolved around the concept of 'peace through strength', recently underscored by military operations against Iran. During an interview with Hankyoreh, Nadia Schadlow, a former deputy assistant to the U.S. National Security Council, discussed how these actions demonstrate the U.S. willingness to use military force, thereby sending a clear message to nations such as China, Russia, and North Korea. She emphasized that while the immediate goal is to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, this operation also serves as a statement of resolve against perceived adversaries.

Schadlow highlighted Iran's aggressive moves toward nuclear capabilities, stating that the rejection of proposals for peaceful nuclear fuel underscores their intentions. She noted that deterrence requires both military 'capacity' and the 'will' to use it. Drawing on criticisms of the previous Obama administration for inaction after setting 'red lines', she argued that current U.S. military actions—especially against Iran—would have ripple effects on the calculations of countries like China and Russia, potentially altering their strategic considerations in global affairs.

On Iran's counter-strategy, Schadlow described it as asymmetric, focusing on targeting energy facilities to drive oil prices up. This, she remarked, is a clever tactic as it leverages U.S. alliances with energy-producing partners who may face severe economic pressure from such actions. While acknowledging that the U.S. military action is fundamentally aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear program, she indicated that its broader implications extend beyond the region, impacting global dynamics, particularly for China, which heavily relies on Iranian oil and the transit routes through the Strait of Hormuz.