Trump's Top General Dan Caine Navigates Iran Tensions with Caution

• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, is drafting US military options for Iran, holding private meetings to avoid leaks.
• Caine has privately expressed concerns about the scale, complexity, and human cost of a major military operation against Iran, contrasting with Trump's public optimism.
• Learning from predecessor Mark Milley's clashes with Trump, Caine adopts a restrained approach, avoiding open contradiction and focusing on presenting options.
• Despite internal reservations, the US has amassed its largest military concentration in the Middle East since the Iraq invasion, with plans ranging from strikes to regime change.
• Caine maintains Trump's trust by seeking frequent briefings and avoiding a public profile, while striving to preserve the military's nonpartisan character.