I get the same feeling too. Maybe now she feels like she’s on the winning team. I’m beginning to see the same Nikki Haley who wasn’t listening to obama during the Governor’s meeting and instead played with her Ipad..
For good or bad, I think she's just her own "man" - whose foreign policy views match up with those of Trump.
I don't think he really "controls" her, he just knows they are on the same page deep in their hearts with respect to world affairs.
Bolton was good, but Nikki is great - as UN Ambassador.
(Just keep her away from domestic affairs).