The current conflict between the President of the United State, Donald Trump and the Deep State is one fraught with difficulties, the most significant of which is the lack of insider information. If this conflict is real or Kabuki theater is difficult to determine and thus both possibilities will be considered based on publically available information and my own thoughts on the matter. This is a contribution to the InformationWar Writing Contest.

For the following discussion, it is first necessary to formulate a definition of 'Deep State' that is serviceable for both sides of the debate. I propose a simple and functional definition. "Deep State (n): a stable cadre of unelected career officials who manage the bureaucratic structures of the state over multiple administrations." Note that this does not attribute positive or negative characteristics.

Thus the Deep State can be compared to the permanent crew of a ship. The administration that is elected into office in the form of the POTUS is "merely" a new ship's captain. Regardless of what the captain orders, unless the crew performs its functions as intended, the ship is essentially under the control of the crew. Often overlooked is the fact that there are generally factions among the crew...