A disconnect on foreign policy

President Trump split from his national security adviser, John Bolton, during their Japan trip that ended on Tuesday, saying that, unlike Mr. Bolton, he was not seeking regime change in Iran. Mr. Trump also contradicted Mr. Bolton by asserting that recent North Korean missile tests had not violated United Nations resolutions.

Mr. Trump’s supporters say the mixed messages are simply a way to keep adversaries off balance.

Background: Mr. Trump chose Mr. Bolton, known for his hawkish foreign policy views, last year as his third national security adviser. Mr. Bolton has learned to brief Mr. Trump effectively, but the two have never bonded on a personal level, according to administration officials.

Related: Mr. Bolton left Japan for the United Arab Emirates, where today he blamed Iran for reported attacks on oil tankers.