GAUCHE MR POMPEO VERY GAUCHE

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo abruptly called off a visit to Berlin, citing "pressing issues." He then made an unannounced trip to meet with officials in Iraq.

DW.COM

US Secretary of State Pompeo cancels meeting with Merkel at short notice

This unannounced meeting came just two days after U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said the American Navy was sending the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf to deal with the "Iranian threat".

TELESURENGLISH.NET

Pompeo Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq Amid Turmoil With Iran

The visit came two days after U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said the United States was deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and a bomber task force to the region because of a "credible threat by Iranian regime forces."