One of Donald Trump's campaign messages was to not get the United States involved in the problems in other countries, preferably in the Middle East just as past administrations have. At the most and as a private citizen, Donald Trump had criticized the Bush administration's involvement in Iraq. But now as President, Donald Trump is faced with having to keep the U.S. bogged down in wars started or continued by previous administrations or to withdraw.
President Trump conflicted with Afghanistan
It was reported last week that President Trump was considering the possible firing of a U.S. commander Gen. John Nicholson in Afghanistan and replacing them with his national security adviser H.R. McMaster. That followed reports that the President was frustrated with the U.S. military for not "winning" the battle against the Taliban and for them still being there. The incident also appeared to be in reaction to some of the re-shifting in the White House with reports that he wanted to get rid of McMaster, which he denied.
On the last Monday of July, former Director of Homeland Security Gen. John Kelly stepped into his new position as White House Chief of Staff which triggered the firing of four aides, three of them who were supportive of Steve Bannon's extremist ideas.
Since Bannon joined the Trump campaign last year, he's been seen as inserting a nationalist and extremist right-wing agenda that views the status quo in Washington as the enemy. His effort to turn Washington upside down has not gone unnoticed.
Chief Strategist put Iran on list for regime change
It was reported that three of Bannon's loyalists had been fired by Gen. McMaster and his deputy during Kelly's first week. The firings ended up making McMaster a greater target of Steve Bannon and his supporters. The rivalry between the two has been consistent since McMaster demoted Bannon from his position in the National Security Council earlier this year. Rather than be part of that council, Bannon had reportedly created his own sub group where his fringe loyalists come up with ideas for the President's agenda.
One of these ideas was to push for Regime Change in Tehran, the capitol of Iran.
Trump not 'interested' in regime change
On John Kelly's first day, the President was asked by the press about what his response was going to be to North Korea's recent testing of a second Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). President Trump appeared to submit to the fact that the U.S. would now have to get involved saying that they would "take care of it" and that they "always take care of everything." Without Trump giving any indication that he has a plan for North Korea, throughout the year he has only threatened to take military action.
Last Tuesday, the President's Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said during a press briefing that the administration was not interested in regime change against North Korea.
Overall, Bannon's plans to bring regime change to Tehran have not been considered as Bannon has been told that the President was not interested in getting the U.S. entangled in another war. The Chief Strategist had Iran and North Korea on his list of goals for the first year of the Trump presidency. But this is also another indication that his influence to the President is weaker than before as the "deep state" rejected his support for mercenaries courtesy of Erik Prince to take over in Afghanistan.