In a surprising twist, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has intensified her criticisms of frontrunner Donald Trump just days before the critical New Hampshire primary. Haley, who had previously maintained a softer approach towards Trump while focusing on outperforming Ron DeSantis for the second spot, unleashed a barrage of attacks centered around Trump's mental acuity and friendly relations with foreign dictators.

Haley's campaign has entered a crucial phase as the New Hampshire primary looms large on Tuesday. Capitalizing on the narrowing competition between herself and the former president, Haley targeted Trump's mental fitness after a video clip from one of his rallies showed him repeatedly mentioning her name, mistaking her for Nancy Pelosi in relation to the January 6th insurrection.

During her appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation," Haley openly questioned Trump's ability to hold office at the age of 80, raising concerns about his declining mental stability. She further criticized Trump's cozy relationships with authoritarian leaders, citing his "bromance with Putin" and exchange of "love letters" with Kim Jong Un. Haley emphasized the need for a leader who stands firm against dictators who pose a threat to national security.

Haley's shift towards directly targeting Trump marks a departure from her previous strategy. Before the Iowa caucuses, her focus was primarily on Ron DeSantis as her main rival for second place. However, as DeSantis has slid to a distant third position in New Hampshire and with pressure mounting from donors to secure a victory, Haley has become more comfortable in directing her energy towards attacking Trump.

A month ago, Haley's stance on Trump was noticeably more evasive. In a December interview on ABC's "This Week," she expressed frustration with constant questions about the former president, asserting that "normal people aren't obsessed with Trump like you guys are." However, her approach has drastically changed as she now follows Trump's lead and opts out of the New Hampshire debates, where she would have confronted DeSantis for the sixth time.

As the New Hampshire primary draws near, the growing clash between Haley and Trump has added an extra layer of volatility to the Republican race. Voters will now have to assess the candidates' platforms, performances, and responses to these intensified attacks as they make their decision on Tuesday.