That was always his foreign policy, you (and 100% of the rest of us) just weren't smart enough to understand all of the nuances and calculus that he has been quite clearly explaining to the American public for 5 years.
So, you see, he wasn't confusing or giving mixed messages; we just can't comprehend the greatness that is the Chosen One. It is completely our fault that we don't get it when a bona fide certified Constitutional scholar explains things to us using fancy language. We should be smarter.