U.S. President Donald Trump is finding his penchant for unpredictable decisions has consequences.
His decision to order the killing of an Iranian general last week has rallied people in Iran behind hardliners, put the war against Islamic State further on ice, and prompted Iraq's parliament to vote to expel American troops from its territory — a goal long cherished by Tehran.
At home, his former national security adviser's agreement to testify at Trump's Senate impeachment trial if he's subpoenaed challenged Republican hopes for a quick dismissal.
John Bolton was a key figure in Trump's off-the-cuff conversations with Ukraine's leader that led to the president's impeachment in the House. As Josh Wingrove reports, he could potentially reveal what Trump said privately as he pushed Ukraine to probe former Vice President Joe Biden — a Democratic rival in the 2020 race — and his son Hunter.
The chances the Republican-controlled Senate will remove the president are still remote. But an element of risk has been added to the mix. And in the Middle East, the fallout from the killing of Qassem Soleimani could leave U.S. policy in the region in disarray.
The outpouring of emotion in Iran over Soleimani's death suggests the U.S. action had unintended results, undermining Washington's efforts to isolate Tehran and fostering public support for a government that just a few weeks ago had been rocked by protests.
— Karl Maier
Post a Comment