Trump’s NSA McMaster quits, replaced by Bolton
US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that John Bolton, a hawkish former US ambassador to the United Nations, will replace HR McMaster as his national security adviser in April.
Bolton will be Trump’s third NSA during his 15 months in office.
“I am pleased to announce that, effective 4/9/18 (April 8), @AmbJohnBolton will be my new National Security Advisor,” Trump tweeted. “I am very thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will always remain my friend.”
Later, Trump said in a statement: “(McMaster) helped develop our America First national security strategy, revitalise our alliances in the Middle East, smash ISIS (Islamic State), bring North Korea to the table, and strengthen our nation’s prosperity.”
McMaster, in a statement provided by the White House, said he was “requesting retirement from the US Army” and that he was “thankful” to Trump for giving him the opportunity to serve as the NSA.
He added that he worked with his team “to provide the president with the best options to protect
WASHINGTON:
The ultra-hawkish John Bolton (in pic) backed the Iraq War as under-secretary of state for arms control under former President George W Bush and even the false justification for it – that Saddam Hussein’s regime was developing weapons of mass destruction He believes a pre-emptive strike on North Korea is fully justified – a stand that could have serious implications for Trump’s plans to hold talks with Kim Jong Un
Bolton believes that bombing Iran to disrupt its nuclear and missile programme is justified.
and advance our national interests”.
Trump and McMaster never got along, according to reports. Trump found McMaster “too stiff” and his briefings too long.
McMaster’s departure came after days of unrelenting speculation punctuated by pro forma denials and assurances of Trump’s continued trust and fait, as has become the pattern for senior-level exits from the White House.
From India’s perspective, McMaster and his team at the He has been a strong critic of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran — also opposed by Trump He has been a trenchant critic of international bodies such as the UN, where he served as the US ambassador during 2005-06. He has described the UN as “a twilight zone”
national security council had been unrelenting in pressing Pakistan to do more to combat terrorism and terrorist outfits taking shelter on its soil, personally delivering the Trump administration’s tough new approach in a visit to Islamabad.
Bolton, who was part of Bush’s administration that had pitched for closer ties with India, is not a friend of Pakistan but has pushed for a different approach. He counselled caution in pressing Pakistan beyond a point, departing from Trump’s position.