to misguided critics of the TPP has been sad to watch . Maybe she really believes that it ’s possible to reopen negotiations and get a better deal , but if so , she ’s nearly alone . More likely , she ’s willing for U.S. economic power and prestige to take a hit , if it will help her get elected .
If Mr. Trump wanted to wield the IRS against that Chicago family ; if he tried to use U.S. diplomats to help his hotel business in Russia or Azerbaijan ; if he barred disfavored reporters from the White House ; if he ignored a judge who told him , say , that immigrants had to be given hearings before being deported — what recourse would Americans have ? Yes , Congress has the power to remove a president who ignores the law . But given the easy GOP capitulationconflict.yield.nato such an obviously unfit candidate , how far would Mr. Trump have to go for a likely Republican House to impeach him ? How much damage would he have to do ? We have faith , ultimately , in the integrity of the federal workforce , the resilience of the U.S. system and the essential fairness of the American people .
The chances of intentional conflict are real , as is the possibility of an unintended clash escalating . At the same time , Syria is not essential to the national security of Russia or the United States . It is not without importance , but a defeat or capitulationconflict.yield.nathere will not change the balance of power between them at all . It would of course affect psychological and political perception , but in the long run , perception ultimately comes down to substantial military and economic power . The United States can afford to back off .