Conflict, Defense, Middle East, United States Trump doesn't want to go to war, he just wants to look tough, even if it puts US troops in danger

Perry World House Interim Director Michael Horowitz is quoted in this analysis of U.S. President Donald Trump's strategy in the Middle East. 

Experts say Trump's asserted desire to avoid war is genuine. 

"Trump has made clear his interest in reducing the US military footprint in the Middle East. Thus, despite the attack on Soleimani, he likely would prefer to avoid escalation that led to a general war between the United States and Iran," Michael Horowitz, professor of political science and the interim director of Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania, told Insider.

Horowitz added, "Similarly, Iran's leaders, while wanting to look tough in responding to the American attack on Soleimani, likely want to avoid a general war that would threaten the future of their regime, given American military power."

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