The world monitors the Trump presidency like it's a slow-motion train wreck and hope for any measure that might control the chaos. The US midterm elections gave Democrats, as opposition party, control of the House of Representatives and strengthened Republican control of the Senate. A split Congress lets Trump continue a pattern of taking credit for any success and blaming others for all failures. Around the world, US adversaries and allies fret about waiting Trump out before catastrophe strikes, explains Robert A. Manning, senior fellow of the Brent Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and its Foresight Strategy and Risks Initiative at the Atlantic Council. Manning suggests that the new Congress will influence US defense and foreign policy – including reduced budgets, less involvement in Yemen, resistance of arms sales to Saudi Arabia, scrutiny of operations in Afghanistan and Africa, agreements with North Korea and nuclear policies in general. The midterms had historic turnout with more than 100 million votes, though that is less than half of eligible voters. Manning concludes that Trump will continue to inspire authoritarians and populists worldwide. – YaleGlobal
