A superpower can get away with a lot. It can sometimes muscle its way through tough situations; it can duck the consequences of sloppy policy better than your average state. But ill-considered statecraft will eventually catch up with even the mightiest nation.
This is happening to the United States today. President Donald Trump put relationships with three undeniably bad actors — Venezuela, North Korea and Iran — at the center of his foreign policy. In each case, unfortunately, his administration has combined vaulting ambitions with dismal planning and weak execution. Trump has promised dramatic breakthroughs and great achievements while eliding hard questions about how — and whether — they can be brought about. More than two years into Trump's presidency this style of policy is becoming unsustainable. An administration that drives recklessly is running out of road.
Take Venezuela. The administration's goal, removing President Nicolas Maduro to allow a democratic restoration, is ambitious yet appropriate, given the economic and humanitarian catastrophe inflicted on the people. The administration's theory of victory — that removing Maduro requires flipping key members of the military and security services — is high-risk but offers the most realistic avenue to renewing democratic rule.
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