Bolton "Ending the Trump War Is Bluffing...possible international crisis"

Former White House national security adviser John Bolton, a key adviser to the first Trump administration, said Trump's decision-making is driven by personal relationships and "immediate reactions" rather than understanding national interests, warning that an international crisis is much more likely in the second Trump administration.

In an interview with Britain's Guardian, Bolton harshly criticized Trump, pointing out his lack of intellectual concepts and his lack of consistent strategy.

In particular, regarding Trump's claim to quickly end the war in Gaza and Ukraine, he said, "It is a typical Trump. It's all just a bluff," he pointed out.

"The risk of a 19th century international crisis is likely to be much greater in Trump's second term," Bolton said, adding, "Given Trump's inability to focus on making consistent decisions, I'm very worried about what the outcome will be."

Recalling Trump's first stint in office, he said, "He has no concept of intellectual training," adding, "He has no philosophy, he does not do what we understand is a policy, and he has no national security strategy."

In addition, Trump said he valued his personal relationship with dictators such as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"He doesn't know much about foreign policy," Bolton said. I don't like reading. Sometimes I read newspapers, but I rarely read briefing papers. Because I don't think they matter. "I think it's important to look at the other person's eyes across the table and trade," he said.

Trump also criticized that he believes he has built a friendship with Putin, but that he knows how to deal with Trump and thinks he is an easy-to-handle opponent.

Asked about Trump's relationship with authoritarians such as Putin, Bolton said, "Maybe a psychologist can explain it better, but Trump said he wants to be a big person and likes to be with other big people.

"These other big figures have no bothersome legislature and judiciary, and they do the work of 'big people' that Trump can't do. He explained, "He just wants to do that, too."

As for Trump's perception of the war in Ukraine, he said, "I'm very concerned that he wants to take this out of the question, and he thinks this is President Biden's war."