Russia, China may be more aggressive if they feel Trump is on "his way out": Brookings

Democrats’ takeover of the House in the midterms may embolden Russia and China to act more aggressively if they conclude that President Donald Trump is politically weakened, according to Brookings. The think tank’s assessment centers on the risk that foreign adversaries read a divided Washington as a sign of diminished U.S. resolve. That matters because perceived weakness can invite probing moves abroad while narrowing the administration’s room to respond at home. Watch for how the White House adjusts its foreign policy messaging and whether Congress pursues tougher sanctions or oversight that could alter the calculus in Moscow and Beijing.