Washington: Since returning to office for a second term, US President Donald Trump has taken a series of bold and aggressive policy decisions, ranging from a hard crackdown on illegal immigration to increased military intervention abroad. According to a report released by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), the United States has conducted more air and drone strikes in a single year under Trump’s second term than during the entire four-year tenure of former President Joe Biden.
Sharp Rise in Overseas Strikes
The report said that between January 20, 2025, and January 5, 2026, the US carried out 573 air and drone strikes overseas. In contrast, only 494 such strikes were recorded during Biden’s four years in office. Over the past 12 months alone, at least 1,008 foreign military operations were conducted across a minimum of nine countries, resulting in 1,093 deaths.
Comparison with Biden-Era Operations
During the Biden administration, a total of 1,648 overseas military operations were carried out, leading to 1,518 fatalities, ACLED noted. Under Trump’s leadership, US forces were also involved in operations in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, during which 110 suspected drug traffickers were killed in encounters with American troops.
Yemen and Iran Feature Prominently
The report highlighted that in June, the US carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, though the number of casualties remains unclear. ACLED further stated that more than 80 per cent of US attacks between January and December 2025 were directed at Houthi rebels in Yemen, resulting in the deaths of over 530 people.