US Foreign-Policy Twins Jostle for Trump’s Ear

The article discusses the emerging foreign policy approach of the Trump administration, highlighting the divergent views of two key players - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton. Pompeo, a former CIA director, is portrayed as a pragmatic realist who advocates for a more cautious, transactional approach to foreign relations. In contrast, Bolton, a long-time foreign policy hawk, is pushing for a more aggressive, confrontational stance, particularly towards adversaries like Iran and North Korea. The article suggests that this internal tension within the administration is shaping Trump's evolving international doctrine, which appears to be a mix of Pompeo's emphasis on bilateral deals and Bolton's preference for unilateral action and tough rhetoric. The article also notes that Trump himself remains the ultimate decision-maker, often bypassing or overriding his advisors, making the administration's foreign policy direction difficult to predict.