The madness of Donald Trump surfaced again in the past day or so, according to many seasoned onlookers.

First, the president of the United States announced that he would impose a shipping toll on the Strait of Hormuz, something that would jack up petrol prices and spike inflation. Then he backed down, before he then threatened to take out Iranian bridges and power plants – a move that could be considered a war crime.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher reports from Washington DC on what might be the American president’s most consequential flip-flop to date.