Lord Sovereign
The resident Britbong
The sheer military might of the Imperium simply cannot be overcome. Remember, it is often said that if the Imperium could concentrate its forces, it would win.
It is a truly galactic empire whilst the Federation is basically puny.
But personally, I'm not sure if they'd come to blows. The Imperium is beset on all sides and deploying a Crusade is a Hell of an ask, but I think it would be more of a case of the two being honestly baffled by each other. You'd have a long period of the two diplomatically prodding at each other (that the Federation is willing to do diplomacy would be mind blowing to the Imperium) which may result in the Imperium taking the Federation under its wing.
Remember, the Imperium of Man is not evil, just desperate. I think Starfleet would see that as well.
It is a truly galactic empire whilst the Federation is basically puny.
But personally, I'm not sure if they'd come to blows. The Imperium is beset on all sides and deploying a Crusade is a Hell of an ask, but I think it would be more of a case of the two being honestly baffled by each other. You'd have a long period of the two diplomatically prodding at each other (that the Federation is willing to do diplomacy would be mind blowing to the Imperium) which may result in the Imperium taking the Federation under its wing.
Remember, the Imperium of Man is not evil, just desperate. I think Starfleet would see that as well.