Already on Election Day, we’ve seen Russian bomb threats against polling places in the U.S. state of Georgia and elsewhere and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dramatically reshaping his cabinet. But experts warn that such activities could be just beginning as America’s gaze is focused inward over the next several months. Colin P. Clarke, an expert on terrorism who has written extensively for Foreign Policy, noted just that in a post on X on Tuesday:
“Look for U.S. adversaries and allies alike to make moves between now and January that Washington would typically chafe at. We’re entering a period of uncertainty that some actors will see as an opportunity to push the envelope without generating near-term backlash or blowback.”
Already on Election Day, we’ve seen Russian bomb threats against polling places in the U.S. state of Georgia and elsewhere and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dramatically reshaping his cabinet. But experts warn that such activities could be just beginning as America’s gaze is focused inward over the next several months. Colin P. Clarke, an expert on terrorism who has written extensively for Foreign Policy, noted just that in a post on X on Tuesday:
“Look for U.S. adversaries and allies alike to make moves between now and January that Washington would typically chafe at. We’re entering a period of uncertainty that some actors will see as an opportunity to push the envelope without generating near-term backlash or blowback.”
He was talking about the Israeli cabinet reshuffle, but he could have been talking about almost anything else. North Korea tested its latest intercontinental ballistic missile last week and did another test, this time of short-range missiles, on Tuesday. Its next major provocation will probably come next year, though it has already deployed combat troops to the Russian front, widening a war that only seems to widen from one side.
China is harassing islands in the South China Sea at an alarming level. Iran could yet respond to Israel’s latest attack. Russia has made the Baltic Sea a playground for surveillance and sabotage; some reports have even suggested that Moscow tried to plant bombs on U.S.-bound airliners.
We don’t know yet who will be in the Oval Office taking the call at 3 a.m. after Inauguration Day. But the phone will certainly be very, very busy until then.
This post is part of FP’s live coverage with global updates and analysis throughout the U.S. election. Follow along here.
The post Buckle Up for Uncertainty Even After the Election appeared first on Foreign Policy.
