Prioritization, we do it every day. We often have long-term goals, and they require that we take steps every day to make sure that they happen. Without a plan, we get distracted by the tyranny of the immediate and the voices that want something else first, to achieve their goals. Unfortunately, the conflict that the current US administration has with Iran, fits in this last category, not the first. This venture off-script, shows a failure of strategic discipline. 

In November 2025, the US published a new National Security Strategy, setting policy for the new administration. It listed the Western Hemisphere and Asia as priorities. Its main concern is the rise of China as a rival for world dominance. Since the last three administrations have been trying to “pivot to Asia,” this is a legitimate concern. Resources are limited and the conflicts in Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and Israel prevented the US from shifting its focus to East Asia. 

The document, Project 2025, the ideological blueprint for this administration, also stated the primacy of countering China. So, the US President deployed aggressive tariff and trade policies to reduce US imports, increase exports and reduce dependence on China. He also eliminated most foreign aid programs to focus resources on military strength. He reduced the federal workforce concerned with domestic policies to focus in defense and immigration. 

Both documents clearly state those priorities, and the new administration hit the ground running in their pursuit. As a result, during the last year, the US took aggressive actions to counter drug trafficking and illegal immigration.  

Promoting hemispheric dominance, Trump deployed his novel corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. He used it to justify his actions against Maduro in Venezuela Maduro's removal was part of a bold application of power in pursuit of the National Security Strategy. So were the shooting of alleged drug boats and the pressure on Panama. Those actions are in line with the first priority stated in the strategy. They also demonstrate that the administration is capable of disciplined application of policy.

But what about China? In both documents, China is the dominant foreign policy concern. Listed as priority number two, Asia and China are mentioned 35 times in the National Security Strategy and 693 times in Project 2025. Meanwhile Iran and the Middle East are only mentioned 16 and 79 times respectively. China is clearly more important in the eyes of the respective authors of each strategic plan.

Yet, during the past year, the US has twice diverted its focus to Iran. In both instances, at the behest of a country with different priorities: Israel. In both cases the US used significant military resources to force Iran to comply with a demand that the regime will not cave to. 

So, this pursuit of a policy that was not a priority, in fact shows a lack of discipline. It is depleting resources that will take years to replenish. It is causing economic hardship around the world. It is wasting political capital needed to assemble a coalition to counter or stall the growth of Chinese influence. Why did the earlier discipline vanish the moment an Iranian target appeared?

According to a report, Israeli promises to the US of a positive outcome from a forceful intervention in Iran made it seem too good an opportunity to pass up, so our president decided to join Israel on the spot. At this point we need to ask, where were the sober rational advisors (primarily Secretary of State Rubio) capable of calculating and defending the national interest under pressure?

The National Security Council should have made a clear case for prioritizing the strategy. Once you take a diversion, it is impossible to know how long and how far it will go. Those opportunity costs cannot be replaced once they are gone. Sadly, US prestige is suffering because of this hasty action. 

What does this mean for Kentucky? Simple. Higher costs for everything, and less money for everything else. Strategy does matter, and its improper application will trickle down to the population level.

What in the World?! addresses current world affairs with an eye toward discussing how international events impact Kentuckians. To help keep the column grounded in Kentucky, please send me your comments or questions: jose.e.mora.torres@gmail.com.

Jose E. Mora, PhD, is a former Professor and Chair of Global Affairs of the American University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Mora and his wife, Melissa, recently moved to Berea in order to be closer to their four adult children.