Venezuela and Ukraine are currently the top foreign-policy priorities for US President Donald Trump, but that hasn’t stopped his administration from pursuing other issues, old and new, as dictated by his instincts and temperament.
Indeed, Mr Trump is resolved to encircle Iran and Hezbollah everywhere from Caracas to Tehran, through Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon with direct measures and sharp warnings, including the introduction of advanced US drones into the equation. Yet his team is working to avoid war with Iran and its armed proxies, while continuing to deter Israel because for the US President, persuasion by pressure is still preferable over military force.
But in which direction is the needle of coercion and persuasion pointing right now?
In Venezuela, the US is trying to avoid military action while coaxing President Nicolas Maduro to step down using
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