Trump picks hardliner Bolton to replace McMaster as NSA

Washington, March 23

US President Donald Trump today fired his National Security Adviser Lt Gen HR McMaster and replaced him with a conservative hawk and former UN Ambassador John Bolton, the latest high-level shakeup in the chaotic White House.

Reports of McMaster’s ouster had surfaced last week but the White House had dispelled them saying there were no changes at the National Security Council (NSC).

Trump, however, took to Twitter today to make the announcement of 69-year-old Bolton’s appointment. “I am pleased to announce that, effective 4/9/18, John Bolton will be my new National Security Adviser,” Trump said on Twitter.

“I am very thankful for the service of General H R McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will always remain my friend,” Trump said. Bolton’s appointment does not require US Senate confirmation. He will take the job on April 9.

The move, which was sudden but not unexpected, signals a more confrontational approach in American foreign policy at a time when the US president faces mounting challenges, including from Iran and North Korea, the New York Times commented.

The appointment of Bolton could lead to dramatic changes in the Trump administration’s approach to crises around the world, The Washington Post said.

His appointment is certain to scramble the White House’s preparations for a proposed summit by the end of May between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Bolton, known for his walrus moustache, is a fierce North Korea hawk who, in his prolific writings and television commentary, has said that preemptive war would likely be the only way to stop North Korea from obtaining the capability to attack the US with a nuclear missile. McMaster was Trump’s second national security adviser after Michael Flynn was dismissed last year for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the US.

The NSC is one of the most powerful wings of the White House that drives the administration’s national security agenda. The announcement of McMaster’s ouster, who the White House said had a “good working relationship” with Trump, is the latest in a string of high-profile White House departures since President Trump took office in January 2017.

The announcement came just days after he replaced secretary of state Rex Tillerson with his close ally, CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

That move, Trump said, was in preparation for upcoming top-level nuclear talks with North Korean leader Kim.

According to a White House official, Trump and McMaster mutually agreed that the latter will resign as the NSA. “The two have been discussing this for some time. The timeline was expedited as they both felt it was important to have the new team in place, instead of constant speculation,” the official said. — PTI

A foreign policy hawk

• John Bolton (pic)  has been a foreign policy hawk in Republican circles for decades, having served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush and George W Bush
• Bolton served as US Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2005-2006 and as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security from 2001-2005
• Bolton, during his tenure at the United Nations, was a leading voice on the need for the Security Council to take strong and meaningful action against international proliferation and terrorism

Strong words greet nomination

• John Bolton’s appointment as national security adviser provoked strong reactions worldwide on Friday, and few stronger than in the bitterly-divided Middle East.
• Some commentators saw it as another nail in the coffin of the Obama-era agreement between Iran and world powers to limit Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, already cast into grave doubt by Trump himself
• Others expected Bolton to further undermine any remaining slender hopes of a “two-state solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict emerging in the foreseeable future 
• He has advocated using military force against North Korea and Iran. What it means for a prospective summit meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is unclear

Recent tweets of new NSA

On North Korea: It’s important to stand behind our South Korean allies, but if we pay heed to the lessons of history, talking to #NorthKorea would be fruitless. (February 13)

On Russia: There needs to be a strategic response to Russia’s new nuclear missiles to show our allies in Europe that we will not let #Russia push the US or its allies around. (March 2) 

On Iran: The #Irannucleardeal was a strategic mistake in 2015. This deal needs to be abrogated and America must craft a new reality that reflects the actions of the Iranian regime. (Jan  29) 

On the Middle East: The Middle East peace process has long needed clarity and an injection of reality, and Trump has provided it by making the decision to move the US embassy in #Israel to #Jerusalem (Dec 14, 2017)