Trump challenges where America fights and how it arms itself

"He also hinted at another round of action in Iran, a symptom of his growing affinity for military force. Another sign: Nigeria was the seventh country bombed in less than a year. Asked about guardrails to global power, Trump told the New York Times: "My own morality. My own mind. It's the only thing that can stop me." "I don't need international law," he added. "I'm not looking to hurt people.""

"Meanwhile, Trump menaced the contracts of the world's second-largest defense company, sought to suspend dividends and stock buybacks across the sector, and demanded investments in "plants and equipment" and speedier weapons production. At the same time, Trump floated a record $1.5 trillion military budget. The president wants new warships on the sea and space-based interceptors in the sky on his terms and his expedited timeline. Driving the news: All of it. All at once. All over the world."

Trump signaled possible further military action in Iran and has overseen bombings in multiple countries, with Nigeria noted as the seventh struck in under a year. He asserted his personal morality and judgment as his sole restraint and dismissed the need for international law. The administration has pressured the defense sector by threatening major contracts, dividends, and buybacks while demanding investments in plants, equipment, and accelerated weapons production. The president proposed a record $1.5 trillion military budget to expand warships and space-based interceptors. Critics express concern that attention and military resources are being spread across too many disparate priorities.

Read at Axios