Leaders | America’s lame-duck period

How to avoid global chaos in the next ten weeks

Risks abound in the limbo between now and Donald Trump’s swearing-in 

A red eagle, it's pupil has been replaced by a yellow earth
Illustration: The Economist/Alamy

Even before America’s election, the world was unstable, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East, among other places, and crackling tensions in the Pacific. The next ten weeks could bring new perils. Donald Trump wants to upend American foreign policy, but won’t take office until January 20th. The authority of Joe Biden’s lame-duck administration is shrivelling. That creates a period of limbo, which America’s enemies could exploit, breaking rules and escalating conflicts to lock in gains. Despite their differences, Mr Biden’s and Mr Trump’s teams must work together to deter them.

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From the November 16th 2024 edition

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