From Kabul to Tehran: How US diplomacy turned transactional

From Kabul to Tehran: How US diplomacy turned transactional Submitted by Tam Hussein on Wed, 05/06/2026 - 11:36 Afghanistan showed America’s allies what transactional power looks like in retreat. Iran now shows what it looks like in escalation US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised Nato allies for failing to support the US-Israeli attack on Iran on 28 February, an escalation that led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz - the world’s most critical energy artery - bringing misery to millions across the globe. Trump has gone so far as to threaten his allies, especially Spain, over their intransigence.