"could he look for stronger distractions? Will he wag the dog? Will he start a war?"

ALL OF THEM!
It's gonna get worse, not better, and very soon.
Especially disturbing is how many mainstream/legacy media continue to give him a pass cause their corporate owners keep bending at the knee from his bullying.

.. but then, Socialists aren't supposed to be frightened at times like these; they're supposed to be leading the resistance!