Donald Trump's divisive actions in the short time he has been president, have left international governments struggling to find the right way to respond.
In particular, the sudden imposition of a ban on citizens of seven mainly Muslim countries travelling to the United States has caused widespread confusion and sparked mass protests.
Those who support this draconian crackdown will point to pledges made by Mr Trump during his deeply negative campaign for the presidency.
But surely none of those voters anticipated that he would introduce such a significant measure without proper planning, consultation and advice.
The chaos which followed the ban spoke volumes about the lack of preparedness in the key agencies involved with Green Card holders among those detained.
Not surprisingly, there is a growing clamour for international leaders to voice firm disapproval at Mr Trump's blanket ban of people on the basis of religion, which many people in democratic societies find profoundly objectionable.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny rightly condemned Mr Trump's move which he said was `not morally acceptable.'
But while he announced a review of US immigration controls at Dublin and Shannon airports he said his cabinet is in favour of retaining the arrangement.
He also confirmed he would travel to Washington for St Patrick's Day and make his views known to the president in person.
It was not the strongest response but Mr Kenny is at least on firmer ground than Theresa May who, in a bid to curry favour with Mr Trump, issued a premature invitation for a state visit to the UK.
Officials may try to push any visit timetable as far back as possible in the hope that outrage will have settled in the intervening period.
However, we are in new territory as far as American presidents are concerned.
The traditional methods of doing business have been binned and we now have a president who issues decree by Twitter and is prepared to fire anyone who challenges his world view.
The signs are that the chaos and uncertainty will continue.
