antagonization

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers explain how the Trump administration’s antagonization of Europe – and further alignment with Russia – could mean major economic blowback if it goes far enough.

It’s the sort of advantage a presidential campaign can only dream about, and Republicans have dropped it in Biden’s lap without antagonization.

More death and destruction mean more antagonization of Moscow.

More antagonization of Moscow means we circle closer and closer to open warfare with Russia.

That could change if U.S. forces unilaterally extend the evacuation deadline, though so far there are indications that the Taliban is trying to avoid outright antagonization of the West on its way out.