President Trump faces greater limits on his power at home after bruising midterm results, but the political setback may not prevent him from pursuing an assertive role abroad.
The results are expected to shape how much influence the president can exercise domestically. They create constraints within the United States, reducing his freedom to advance his agenda at home in the same way as before the elections.
Internationally, however, the consequences may be different. Trump is likely to want to show that he can still affect global events and project power beyond the United States, despite the difficulties created by the midterm outcome.
The contrast between the domestic and international effects of the results is expected to be important in assessing the next phase of his presidency. While his room for manoeuvre at home may be narrowed, his willingness to demonstrate influence overseas is unlikely to be reduced by the setback.
