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John Bolton, foreign policy hawk and Bush era neocon, is back in the spotlight as tensions with Iran and Venezuela ratchet up. Took a look at his influence in tomorrow’s @Telegraph. 
It was Bolton’s name on statement announcing USS Abraham Lincoln deployment to counter Iran last week. Was Bolton who called out Maduro backers allegedly ready to defect amid recent Venezuela uprising. And Bolton who helped scrap INF nuclear treaty with Russia.
Trump ran on a non-interventionist platform in 2016 - Iraq War was folly, time to bring back troops from Middle East, no costly foreign wars. Yet he has talked up possibility of military action in Iran and Venezuela in recent weeks.
Some former Trump White House officials see Bolton's influence in actions. One said Bolton's stance on Middle East + foreign intervention was "almost 180 degrees" different to the president.
Steve Bannon said of Bolton: “Trump is the anti-neocon, which is the reason the 'Never Trump' faction hate him.
“Bolton has been a solid national security adviser, but the president's instincts are spot on in pushing back against the adventurism shown in Venezuela.”
“Bolton has been a solid national security adviser, but the president's instincts are spot on in pushing back against the adventurism shown in Venezuela.”
Trump himself has acknowledged Bolton's hawishness. "He has strong views on things," he said last week. "I actually temper John, which is pretty amazing."
But ultimately, Trump added, "I make the decision.”
telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/1…
But ultimately, Trump added, "I make the decision.”
telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/1…
