Map Shows US Military Operations Around World in Trump's Second Term

U.S. forces have been involved in military action across three continents outside of North America during President Trump's second term.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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In just over 13 months, the Trump administration has sought to pull back from the rest of the world while also becoming embroiled in military action across three continents outside of North America. The U.S. military has carried out strikes on Islamic State operatives in Somalia, Iraq, and Syria, as well as operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen, Iran's nuclear facilities, drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, and Islamist militants in Nigeria. In 2026, the U.S. has launched a major operation against Iran and is working with the Ecuadorian military against narcotrafficking organizations.

Why it matters

The U.S. military operations during Trump's second term have drawn criticism for appearing to contradict the administration's stated goal of putting "America First" and reducing foreign intervention. The scale and scope of the operations have raised concerns about mission creep and the potential for further escalation, particularly with the ongoing strikes against Iran.

The details

The U.S. military has carried out a range of operations since the start of Trump's second term in 2025, including strikes on Islamic State targets in Somalia, Iraq, and Syria; operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen; strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities; and attacks on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. In 2026, the U.S. has launched a major joint operation with Israel against Iran and is working with the Ecuadorian military against narcotrafficking organizations.

  • On February 1, 2025, Trump ordered U.S. strikes on Islamic State operatives in Somalia.
  • In March 2025, a U.S. airstrike killed an Islamic State leader in western Iraq.
  • In March-May 2025, the U.S. Central Command launched an operation known as Rough Rider, intensifying long-running U.S. attacks on Houthi rebels in Yemen.
  • In June 2025, U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities helped end a 12-day war between Israel and Iran.
  • In September 2025, the U.S. carried out its first known strike on an alleged drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean.

The players

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States who ordered many of the military operations during his second term.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)

The U.S. military command responsible for operations in the Middle East, which launched the Rough Rider operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Nicolás Maduro

The former President of Venezuela who was whisked up to New York on a U.S. Navy ship to face narcoterrorism charges after a U.S. military operation in Caracas in early 2026.

Admiral Brad Cooper

The chief of the U.S. forces in the Middle East who called the ongoing operation against Iran "unprecedented".

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes ("El Mencho")

A high-profile Mexican drug cartel leader killed in an operation supported by U.S. intelligence.

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What they’re saying

“The affairs of other countries are our concern only if their activities directly threaten our interests. In everything we do, we are putting America First.”

— The Trump Administration (National Security Strategy)

“The operation is unprecedented. Two aircraft carriers, 200 fighter jets and bombers, as well as more than 50,000 U.S. troops are involved and have struck close to 2,000 targets.”

— Admiral Brad Cooper, Chief of U.S. Forces in the Middle East (Social media)

What’s next

Congress is set to vote on curbing the president's ability to strike Iran, and there are concerns about potential further escalation of the U.S. military operations.

The takeaway

The scale and scope of U.S. military operations during Trump's second term, which have spanned multiple continents, have raised concerns about mission creep and the administration's commitment to its 'America First' foreign policy rhetoric. The ongoing strikes against Iran in particular have the potential to further inflame tensions in the region.