The Trump administration initiated U.S. military strikes in seven countries throughout 2025, led by Army Secretary Pete Hegseth. This strategy, which echoes the “peace through strength” concept of President Ronald Reagan, seems at odds with Trump’s self-portrayal as a “president of peace.”
From the Middle East beaches to the waters off Venezuela, the beginning of Trump’s second term has been marked by a significant number of military actions. The Pentagon, rebranded as the Department of the Army, conducted attacks against Somalia, Iraq, Yemen, Iran, Syria, Nigeria, Venezuela, and also in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean.
In 2025, President Trump ordered airstrikes across seven countries.
Africa
In Africa, the U.S. targeted ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates, particularly in Somalia, where airstrikes marked the start of Trump’s second term on February 1. U.S. commanders characterized the mission as a precision counterterrorism effort in coordination with local authorities, intended to weaken insurgent leadership and training camps.
Warnings were issued to civilians in areas impacted by the strikes, underscoring the dangers in regions already affected by violence. The year concluded with a Christmas Day attack in Nigeria, where troops engaged ISIS terrorists who were targeting Christians in West Africa.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly offensive against the remnants of ISIS terrorists in northwestern Nigeria. ISIS is targeting primarily innocent Christians, committing brutal killings at levels not seen in years, or even centuries!” Trump expressed on Truth Social.
“I have previously warned these terrorists that if they do not stop their slaughter of Christians, they will face hell, and tonight there was hell,” he added.
Middle East
The most extensive U.S. air campaign in 2025 occurred in Yemen, where U.S. forces consistently targeted Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The Pentagon stated these strikes were aimed at missiles, drones, radar systems, and launch sites, particularly as the Houthis escalated hostile actions against commercial vessels in the Red Sea amidst ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts.
In Iraq and Syria, U.S. forces also executed regular airstrikes and ground raids against ISIS fighters and infrastructure, as reported by U.S. Central Command. These operations included targeting ISIS hideouts and collaborative missions with regional partners.
However, the most significant military action occurred on June 22 when the Pentagon deployed fighter jets to attack Iran’s nuclear program in retaliation for Israel’s Rising Lion bombing campaign. This operation, named “Operation Midnight Hammer,” severely delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions and marked the first use of a 30,000-pound “bunker buster” bomb by the U.S., according to the Pentagon.
Western Hemisphere
As 2025 came to a close, Trump ramped up military action in the Western Hemisphere, a trend expected to carry into the following year. The U.S. military engaged in operations on the high seas, targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
Thirty-five known maritime attacks led to at least 115 fatalities in 2025. These strikes aimed at disrupting criminal networks contributing to violence and instability, as well as to pressurize the narco-terrorist regime of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, which has driven millions to seek refuge in the U.S. and has supported the Iranian proxy group Hezbollah.
Additionally, ground airstrikes in Venezuela were executed late last month—but these were conducted by the CIA rather than the military.
