NS experts: a distracted and potentially vulnerable country

[Dill]

“Some adversaries may think that America may be distracted, so that they can get away with something,” said Stephen J. Hadley, who served as President George W. Bush’s national security adviser. On the other hand, he said, they may think a provocation “could give Trump an opportunity to be presidential, to be commander in chief, and that strengthens his hand with the American people.”

“I think that is probably the thinking of China, I think it’s probably the thinking even of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, I think it’s true for the Iranians,” Hadley said. “They’re just going to hunker down and get through this period and see who’s elected.”

“There’s been a steady series of emails just repeatedly asking, at repeated junctures, ‘What in the world is going on?’ ” said a former senior U.S. intelligence official in frequent contact with counterparts. Trump’s refusal to wear masks or abide by other protective measures has baffled foreign officials, the intelligence official said, describing Trump’s symptoms as an “extraordinary manifestation of the obtuseness of his approach to the coronavirus.”

This official and others emphasized that they believe that the U.S. military and intelligence agencies remain focused on overseas threats and are functioning well despite the turmoil in Washington.

“People can have confidence that the U.S. military and intelligence community at a professional level are doing their jobs and keeping an eye on everything and sounding alarms that need to be sounded,” McLaughlin said. “But into what environment? A very distracted and confused one at this point.”