Top General Dan Caine tries to avoid conflict with Trump while preparing for possible war with Iran
CNN • • world
Key Points:
- Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, has been quietly coordinating military options for potential strikes on Iran, expressing internal concerns about the risks and complexity of such operations despite President Trump's optimistic public rhetoric.
- Caine maintains a careful balance with Trump, avoiding direct confrontation while providing professional military advice, contrasting with his predecessor Gen. Mark Milley’s more outspoken approach.
- Despite internal reservations, Caine has overseen the largest US military buildup in the Middle East since the Iraq invasion and continues to provide a range of military plans, including regime change options in Iran.
- Caine enjoys a close relationship with Trump, often acting as his trusted military adviser, while navigating tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who
