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How Trump’s ‘anaconda’ tactics put the squeeze on Iran and China

Nypost · 🇷🇺 public Russia · · 743 words · By Glenn H Reynolds
Historical Analogy Economic Warfare Political polarization
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What to know about Historical Analogy

President Donald Trump has been compared to many historical figures, by opponents (who claim he’s another Adolf Hitler) and by boosters (who cite Andrew Jackson or Teddy Roosevelt).

Claims checked 12
Techniques found 5
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left14%
Center72%
Right14%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

President Donald Trump has been compared to many historical figures, by opponents (who claim he’s another Adolf Hitler) and by boosters (who cite Andrew Jackson or Teddy Roosevelt).

Why it matters

With his blockade of Iran, though, maybe we should start comparing him to Gen.

Common ground

In the mid-19th century, Scott was America’s preeminent military mind, the architect of victory in the Mexican War and the “Grand Old Man of the Army.” As the Civil War loomed, he developed a plan to defeat the Confederacy with the smallest number of…

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling, Causal Oversimplification: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/11/opinion/how-trumps-anaconda-tactics-put-the-squeez…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 5 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 90% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Name Calling / Labeling 85% confidence
Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Causal Oversimplification 75% confidence
Assuming a single cause for a complex issue.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing causal oversimplification helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Smears 80% confidence
Using damaging allegations to undermine a person's reputation.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing smears helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 80% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 12 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 3
info Single Source 3
verified Verified By Reference 2
schedule Pending 2
help Insufficient Evidence 2
verified
Claim 1: “Scott wanted to cut the Confederacy in two by seizing control of the Mississippi River, while choking off the South’s foreign trade... with a naval blockade of its Atlantic and Gulf ports.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The core components of the Anaconda Plan—the naval blockade of ports and control of the Mississippi River—are confirmed by Wikipedia and Britannica.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Anaconda Plan was a strategy outlined by the Union Army for suppressing the Confederacy at the beginning of the American Civil War.[1] Proposed by Union General-in-Chief Winfield Scott, the plan e…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaconda_Plan
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Mississippi River comprised an entirely different problem. The Navy developed a combined-arms strategy with the Army in amphibious and coastal/riverine operations. Both forces were necessary to co…
https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2023/6/18/the-unio…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — (Redirected from Anaconda Plan). Jump to: navigation, search. see also American naval history and American Civil War The Union Blockade was a United States Navy blockade that closed the Confederate po…
https://www.conservapedia.com/Anaconda_Plan
check_circle
Claim 2: “In the mid-19th century, Scott was America’s preeminent military mind, the architect of victory in the Mexican War and the “Grand Old Man of the Army.””
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm Winfield Scott's distinguished military career, his role in the Mexican-American War, and his long tenure in the Army.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Winfield Scott saw action in all the major wars of the early American republic in a military career spanning half a century.From Lawyer to General: Winfield Scott began as a lawyer before launching a …
https://www.thecollector.com/winfield-scott/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Scott was a war hero who served 47 years as an Army general from the War of 1812 to the Mexican-American War (1846-48) to the start of the Civil War in 1861.
https://www.al.com/news/2019/04/the-strange-story-of-how-a-s…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) was the most prominent Confederate general of the American Civil War (1861-1865), who commanded the Army of Northern Virginia for much of the war and was named general-in-chi…
https://www.worldhistory.org/Robert_E._Lee/
schedule
Claim 3: “Glenn Harlan Reynolds is a professor of law at the University of Tennessee and founder of the InstaPundit.com blog.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 4: “Trump has also cut deals giving the United States control of vital maritime chokeholds in the Indian Ocean, the Pacific and the Caribbean”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence consists of general biographical information about Donald Trump and does not mention specific deals regarding maritime chokeholds in the Indian Ocean, Pacific, or Caribbean.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Latest news on President Donald Trump, including updates on his executive orders, administrative decisions from his team, news on his court cases and more.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Stay informed and read the latest breaking news and updates on Donald Trump from AP News, the definitive source for independent journalism.
https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump
schedule
Claim 5: “Colleges and universities... are now facing audits and federal lawsuits over censorship and race discrimination.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 6: “Iran’s alternative trade routes — with Russia via the Caspian Sea, and with China via road and rail — are meager in comparison.”
CORROBORATED
Sources confirm that trade routes via the Caspian Sea to Russia are expanding and significant, though the claim that they are 'meager' compared to primary oil routes is a relative assessment supported by the context of these routes being 'regional' or 'niche' compared to global oil trade.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A woman walks along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in the port city of Bandar Anzali, Iran. The Caspian has emerged as a key trade route between Russia and Iran.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/09/world/middleeast/caspian-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Executive summary Trade between Russia and Iran over the Caspian Sea has grown from a niche, regional flow into a rapidly expanding corridor: industry and government figures point to cargo turnover th…
https://factually.co/fact-checks/international/trade-russia-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — As part of a 20-year cooperation pact, Iran is supplying Russia with drones and ballistic missiles in exchange for military and nuclear support, with Caspian oil revenues helping finance these ...
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/What-Are-Iran-And…
help
Claim 7: “Even after his Department of Government Efficiency was disbanded, he has been cutting off the shady transfer of billions of taxpayer dollars to programs and organizations that enriched Democratic Party cronies”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding a 'Department of Government Efficiency' or the cutting off of funds to Democratic cronies.
info
Claim 8: “China has put a lot of effort into getting ready to invade Taiwan”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results for China are general encyclopedic entries and news feeds; they do not provide specific evidence regarding preparations for an invasion of Taiwan.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 2.3.2Three Kingdoms, Jin, Northern and Southern dynasties. 2.3.3Sui, Tang and Song. 2.3.4Yuan, Ming and Qing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago · China, which has the largest population of any country in the world, is composed of diverse ethnic and linguistic groups. The Han are the largest group in China, while the Zhuang is the la…
https://www.britannica.com/place/China
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago · Reuters.com is your online source for the latest China news stories and current events, ensuring our readers up to date with any breaking news developments
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/
help
Claim 9: “Through redistricting in states like Texas, Florida and Tennessee, Trump is squeezing the Democrats’ built-in margin of safe seats”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding redistricting in Texas, Florida, and Tennessee specifically linked to Trump squeezing Democratic safe seats.
info
Claim 10: “With Iran, he’s choking off the regime’s oil money — and secondarily, he’s restricting China’s oil supply.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided search results for Donald Trump are general biographical or news landing pages and do not contain specific evidence regarding the restriction of oil money for Iran or oil supply for China.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Stay informed and read the latest breaking news and updates on Donald Trump from AP News, the definitive source for independent journalism.
https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Latest news on President Donald Trump, including updates on his executive orders, administrative decisions from his team, news on his court cases and more.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump
verified
Claim 11: “He called it the Anaconda Plan — and like its namesake it was about applying a squeeze, and squeezing hard, until its object was squeezed to death.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia, Britannica, and Encyclopedia Virginia all explicitly confirm that General Winfield Scott proposed the 'Anaconda Plan' to defeat the Confederacy.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Anaconda Plan was a strategy outlined by the Union Army for suppressing the Confederacy at the beginning of the American Civil War. [1] Proposed by Union General-in-Chief Winfield Scott, the plan …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaconda_Plan
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Anaconda plan, military strategy proposed by Union General Winfield Scott early in the American Civil War. The plan called for a naval blockade of the Confederate littoral, a thrust down the Mississip…
https://www.britannica.com/event/Anaconda-plan
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Anaconda Plan was the nickname attached to Lieutenant General Winfield Scott 's comprehensive plan to defeat the Confederacy at the start of the American Civil War (1861-1865). Scott called for a …
https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/anaconda-plan/
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Claim 12: “The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz means Iran’s oil exports are stuck and piling up”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources, including a Wikipedia entry for a 2026 crisis and FPIF, describe a US blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Since 13 April, the US has blockaded Iranian ports, leading to a "dual blockade" of the strait. Until the US–Israeli war against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz was open and about 25% of the world's seabor…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Strait_of_Hormuz_crisis
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Iran has since said the strait is closed again. Iran had continued to export its own oil until the blockade - and in doing so, cashing in on the high prices. March was the fifth biggest month for oil …
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yv6xr6me3o
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — On April 12, the United States announced the start of its own naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz where U.S forces will stop or intercept vessels coming out from Iranian ports. One week later, it d…
https://fpif.org/blockading-the-strait-of-hormuz/
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.