All this, with the only way to get the empire out of a mess being seen as having a general take over, is very much in line with the idea that we're experiencing a kind of rerun of the early Roman Empire, but with advanced technology.

That doesn't mean that it might not be the only option available in the circumstances. That advanced technology means that this is a very serious situation when control is in the hands of a cabal of crazies and an ineffectual but obedient frontman, which is what we seem to have right now.