US political season opens, and tribal warfare continues in Washington

WHATEVER one thinks about the expected acquittal of US President Donald Trump at the end of the impeachment trial in the US Senate, it does ignite some hope that the Republicans and Democrats will be able to reach a political and legislative ceasefire - and perhaps try now to resolve their country's problems at home and abroad.

After all, that is why the American voters elected them in the first place. Unfortunately, that kind of restrained optimism may amount to nothing more than wishful thinking. In fact, with the start of this year's critical presidential race - marked by the Democratic Party's caucuses taking place this week - the tribal political warfare that has divided America for more than three years will likely continue, and if anything, take an uglier form.

Since he entered the White House, Mr Trump, one of the most divisive presidents in American history, has intensified a process of dangerous political polarisation that started under his predecessor, Democratic President Barack Obama. And that, in many ways, paralysed legislation and policy making in Washington.