Former US security advisor John Bolton sharply criticized the foreign policy of US President Donald Trump. Speaking to Deutschlandfunk, Bolton noted, “Nothing disciplines Trump. He lacks a political philosophy, a superior strategy for national security, and doesn’t even think in classical political categories.” He described Trump’s approach as “transactional, fragmented, and ad hoc,” a pattern he observed during his first term, which he suggested had worsened during the second.
The security expert also criticized the US government’s National Security Strategy, claiming it was drafted by “isolationists.” According to Bolton, these proponents argue that the US has overextended itself globally and lacks genuine interests in areas like Europe or the Middle East, and perhaps even in Asia. He characterized the document as a political piece filled with “many conclusions, a lot of ideology, and very little practical implementation.” Surprisingly, he suggested this was beneficial, concluding that such a document did less harm. Bolton ultimately judged the paper to be “largely unsubstantive.”
Bolton added that Trump fundamentally misunderstands international politics. He believes that personal friendships with foreign heads of state dictate positive bilateral relationships-a belief, he pointed out, that is incorrect. Bolton described the president’s grasp of international affairs as “almost childish,” labeling it “very dangerous.”
