Armed conflict would, of course, be even worse. Donald Trump probably is not now seeking such a war, but one cannot rule out that someday he would as a way to escape from greater political troubles he encounters concerning the Russia investigation or anything else. The bigger worry in the meantime is Bolton, who has long yearned for such a war and in his current job is in position to increase the chance of something sparking one.

Paul R. Pillar is a contributing editor at the National Interest and the author of Why America Misunderstands the World .