President Donald Trump ran his 2024 campaign promising "no new wars" and an end to "regime change" and "nation-building." But according to his former national security adviser John Bolton, what's actually happening looks nothing like that vision.

In an article published Tuesday in The Atlantic, Bolton detailed what he sees as a chaotic, self-serving approach to foreign policy that undermines traditional U.S. goals of international stability. And he's not alone in raising concerns.

The Venezuela Puzzle

Take Venezuela. Trump removed Nicolás Maduro from power but left key regime allies like Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello in place, effectively sidelining opposition leaders who might actually stabilize the country. By authorizing oil-related funds to flow to officials aligned with the existing power structure, critics argue he's strengthening the very regime he claimed to oppose.

One analyst put it bluntly: "Trump barely scratched the surface." Partial measures like these risk prolonging instability rather than resolving it. Trump has even portrayed himself as Venezuela's acting president, adding a personal and theatrical dimension to what's supposed to be serious statecraft.

Gaza's "Board of Peace" Struggles

In Gaza, Trump created a "Board of Peace" to oversee his Middle East plan, appointing family members and close associates including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The administration has floated ambitious redevelopment plans, but there's no clear framework for disarming Hamas or providing basic security.

European countries largely declined to participate, leaving the board's credibility questionable at best. Trump also threatened military action to acquire Greenland before reversing course, a move that rattled European allies and raised fresh concerns about NATO cohesion.

Iran Talks Resume Amid Rising Tensions

Last week, the U.S. and Iran resumed indirect nuclear talks in Oman. Trump called the discussions "very good" but warned of "very steep" consequences if no deal materializes. U.S. warships, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, operated near Iran while Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, the top Middle East commander, joined the talks for the first time.

Economic Warnings Mount

Earlier this month, economist Peter Schiff criticized what he called Trump's increasingly incendiary rhetoric, arguing that statements about running Venezuela or threatening Greenland were accelerating America's sovereign debt and currency crisis. With U.S. debt surpassing $38 trillion, Schiff predicted a "controlled decline" of the dollar amid rising deficits and global caution about U.S. assets.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also questioned whether Trump's foreign policy actually prioritizes U.S. interests, pointing to arms sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia, an Argentina bailout, and granting Qatar an Air Force facility in Idaho.

The question everyone's asking: Is this improvisation or strategy? Critics increasingly lean toward the former.