U.S. military strikes under President Donald Trump's second term have surged beyond levels seen during former President Joe Biden's four-year presidency, according to new data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED). Between January 2025 and January 2026, the U.S. conducted 573 air and drone strikes—a figure rising to 658 when including coalition operations—compared to 494 strikes under Biden’s full term.
ACLED’s report, published this week, reveals 1,008 foreign military engagements across nine countries in the past year, resulting in 1,093 fatalities. Strikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels dominated 80% of operations in 2025, causing over 530 deaths. Notable incidents include the killing of 110 alleged drug traffickers in international waters and unconfirmed casualties from June strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
"The Trump administration is prioritizing rapid military action as a first response, with fewer constraints than previous administrations," ACLED CEO Clionadh Raleigh stated. The watchdog warned of escalating operations in Venezuela, Nigeria, and potential future hotspots like Greenland and Cuba, urging recognition of these regions as "independent states with political agency" rather than strategic targets.
Analysts describe the strategy as "strike first, ask questions later," emphasizing its departure from multilateral frameworks. Raleigh criticized the approach, arguing it frames global regions as "problems to be managed" for resource control rather than sovereign entities.
