The Unvarnished Truth: Deconstructing Donald Trump's 'Wars Ended' Narrative

During his presidency, Donald Trump frequently boasted about his success in ending what he termed “endless wars,” often claiming to have concluded eight conflicts. This bold assertion, while politically potent, warrants a closer, more critical examination. The reality on the ground often tells a different story—one of shifting strategies, diplomatic stalemates, and persistent conflicts rather than definitive conclusions.

First on Trump's list was the war against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

He declared a “total defeat” of the Islamic State’s territorial caliphate. While significant gains were indeed made against the group, and its territorial hold was dismantled, ISIS itself was far from eliminated. Its ideology persisted, and its fighters regrouped as an insurgency. US troops remained in the region, operating in an advisory and counter-terrorism capacity, underscoring that the fight against extremism was—and still is—an ongoing battle, not a war definitively 'ended'.

Then came Afghanistan, America's longest war.

Trump consistently expressed a desire to withdraw US forces and famously pursued a deal with the Taliban. A peace agreement was signed in February 2020, paving the way for a full American withdrawal. However, the conflict itself did not end during Trump’s tenure. Fighting between the Taliban and the Afghan government forces intensified, ultimately leading to the chaotic US withdrawal under his successor, Joe Biden.

While Trump initiated the exit strategy, the war was far from over when he left office; rather, it entered a new, equally tragic phase.

North Korea presented another complex challenge. Trump engaged in unprecedented direct diplomacy with Kim Jong Un, holding historic summits that aimed for denuclearization.

While this outreach certainly reduced immediate tensions and offered a stark contrast to previous administrations, a comprehensive denuclearization agreement never materialized. No .