Trump names military strategist as his new NSA
WASHINGTON: US president Donald Trump has named Lt General H R McMaster, a widely respected military strategist and author of a searing critique of the military leadership for not standing up to the President during the Vietnam war, as his new National Security Adviser, calling him a “a man of tremendous talent and tremendous experience”.
McMaster (54) succeeds Michael Flynn, a retired Lt General who was fired by Trump for lying to the vice-president Mike Pence about is dealings with Russia.
“He is highly respected by everyone in the military and we’re very honoured to have him,” Trump said presenting McMaster, who, as national security adviser, doesn’t have to go through the gruelling Senate confirmation process but will face many other challenges, including aggressive claims on his turf by chief strategist Steven Bannon and the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
McMaster, who probably could not say no to the president, being an active duty military personnel, is expected to enjoy wide latitude in picking his team. More importantly, for those rattled by Trump’s rocky start, he is expected to stand up to the president if and when needed.
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