PBS News Hour - Full Show Trump's worldview and a rapidly changing global order
Jan 17, 2026
Victoria Coates, former Deputy National Security Advisor under Trump, discusses his preference for precise military strikes. Corey Schake highlights risks to NATO trust from Trump's aggressive tactics, while Jennifer Kavanagh emphasizes the limits of U.S. military power and the need for strategic restraint. The guests also debate Europe's military spending and the strategic rationale behind U.S. actions in Venezuela, reflecting on how these decisions shape international relations in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
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Targeted Power Over Prolonged Wars
- President Trump favors precise, targeted strikes that change battlefield dynamics without long quagmires.
- Victoria Coates argues these actions demonstrate capabilities adversaries hadn't expected and appeal to Trump’s strategic preference.
Experience With Soleimani Framing Trump Moves
- Victoria Coates compares recent strikes and the Maduro removal to the Soleimani operation she saw in the prior administration.
- She uses that experience to explain why precise strikes appeal to President Trump.
Allied Trust Multiplies U.S. Power
- Corey Schake warns U.S. power depends on voluntary allied cooperation rooted in shared values and restraint.
- He says threats to allies risk reducing cooperation and raising costs for future U.S. actions.