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1/ Bolton’s ouster is a reminder of little-acknowledged reality – Trump is no warmonger. Despite bellicose rhetoric, he wants out of Afghan / Syria, is pushing for a deal with N Korea, calling for talks with Iran.
2/ Many of his clashes with Bolton were over not going far enough, according to reports. Didn't approve Iran strike after US drone shot down. Didn't intervene militarily in Venezuela despite the 'all options open' rhetoric.
3/ Central plank of Trump's 2016 pitch was to end America's costly foreign wars. Get out of Middle East, bring back troops. 'All it's cost is blood + gold'. Maybe just channeling public sentiment but has pursued in office.
4/ At times that stance is hard to square with his public rhetoric. Trump often willing to talk up the threat of military action. [N Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, etc.] And has markedly increased defence spending.
5/ Plus he has been willing to act. Twice struck Syrian government targets after chemical weapons use, in part to police the 'red line' he criticised Obama for failing to defend.
6/ But to date he's largely avoided military escalation. Worst case scenarios floated before inauguration haven't come to pass. Could change, but for now Trump has largely stuck to his anti-intervention instincts. [end]
