Lacking Any Strategy, Trump Prepares to Escalate

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 03: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office of the White House on March 03, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump and Mer... WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 03: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office of the White House on March 03, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump and Merz are expected to discuss a range of topics including the recent U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and international tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) MORE LESS

The U.S. is approaching a newly dangerous phase of its war against Iran. The administration is signaling that it will likely soon commence ground operations in Iran that will yet stop short of a full-scale invasion. Obviously, certainly to many TPM readers, this whole situation and war of choice are very bad things. But I want to point your attention to something specific.

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Josh Marshall is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TPM.

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