Trump turning timid in his second year in office

Washington talks these days in many "tongues" with the international community, confused and bewildered as to what the US policies really stand for, whether on the domestic or international fronts.

It has been a year already since President Donald Trump assumed power, nevertheless, he continues to surprise his local and domestic audiences, especially when he changes guards and advisers so often, with many of them singing their own song.

The emerging picture from the White House these days remains perplexing and not easy to fully comprehend or explain. It is true that Trump is novice when it comes to conducting official functions, but after a year in office, it is high time that the dust settles in Washington and the administration of President Trump speaks in one tongue.

Part of the problem may lie in the proposition that Trump often expresses policies that reflect his own beliefs spontaneously without prior reflection and, obviously, without even consulting with his most trusted advisers and members of his inner circle in the White House.

This mode of running the government in Washington could be a deep reflection of the personality of Trump, who is not used to consulting anybody or being told what to say or do.

There are some redeeming features of Trump's presidency in the sense that he is “natural” and free of bureaucratic constraints or inhibitions. Trump says and does what he thinks is right, and nothing will ever change him. Sometimes, what comes out of his mouth is a breath of fresh air, but on other occasions, what he says is so destabilising and confusing to friend and foe alike. 

There are still persistent allegations that Russian President Vladimir Putin interfered in the 2016 US presidential election in favour of Trump. Why would Putin made such a choice, no one could really know, except for perhaps wanting a rudderless White House.

Given the fact that Trump is a free soul, it is hard to imagine how Russia's interest can be served by such an unpredictable trait. Putin must be among the most confused by Trump's foreign policy statements, especially those related to his country in particular. Putin could not have been serious about seeking Trump's election to the White House. Why would he, I may ask. 

Hopefully, President Trump would soon settle down in his second year in office after having learnt a lesson or two from his first year in the White House.

The world knows that Trump is a president of action and means what he says. When he struck at Damascus last year for having used chemical weapons against its own people, President Trump showed that he could be a man of steel and unperturbed by any complication once he makes up his mind.

Trump has not repeated similar bold actions when Damascus defied his threats and used chemical weapons against its people again and again. President Trump did not lift a finger when Damascus rained bombs on Eastern Ghouta of Damascus recently, killing Syrians by the hundreds on a daily basis.

If anything, Trump has become timid in his second year in office instead of becoming bolder and more assertive. Very soon, the world would miss the old Trump and wish he is still around!