Trump seeks to end the war without it becoming ‘an abject failure’

In April 2026, Donald Trump is reportedly seeking to end a war, aiming to avoid what he fears could become "an abject failure." According to Barbara Slavin of the Stimson Center, Trump misjudged the situation with Iran, leading to the current predicament. Slavin suggests that Trump did not foresee Iran's steadfast leadership, the failure of pressure to secure a deal, or the potential economic shock of a Strait of Hormuz closure. These miscalculations have increased the risk of a protracted war. The article does not specify which war is being referenced.