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National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster is finishing out his service with the White House and will be replaced with former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton. McMaster is not exactly being pushed out, but recent revelations regarding his ongoing work relationships, have put him in a position that makes access to the West Wing questionable at best.
While some news outlets are busy pondering the upcoming issues President Trump has to deal with (the highly-anticipated North Korea meeting for one), more left-leaning outlets are focusing on Bolton’s history and attempting to undermine him in advance.
McMaster’s Loyalties
There is no denying that the General is a patriot who has served his country well for a long time, but his eleven-year relationship (as a consultant) with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has left many wondering how loyal he is to the president’s agenda and platform.
The IISS receives funding from very questionable countries and organizations and has a Globalist agenda that is at clear odds with Trump’s MAGA platform. They receive funding not only from “friendly nations,” but also from places like Pakistan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. On top of this, they also get funds directly from private organizations including George Soros’s Open Society Foundation.
Many Senior figures in the military expressed surprise and suspicion at the General’s association (which was not well publicized) with the group. Former Rear Admiral James “Ace” Lyons summed up the overall feeling well during an interview with The Daily Caller. He said:
“It is really absurd that an active duty military officer, particularly one of flag rank, is a consultant to a foreign organization that is taking money and contributions from questionable countries that are known enemies of the United States. This to me seems to be outside the bounds of what we’re committed to. This is atrocious.”
The Bolton Attacks
The incoming National Security Advisor, John Bolton has already begun taking flack. He is considered in many circles to be a “War Hawk” due to his support for the Iraq war and his stance on a “Strike First” option against North Korea and Iran.
It may well be Bolton’s stance on Iran that has given him the opportunity to serve the president. He was fervently against Barack Obama’s Iran “deal” which fits well with Trump’s description of it as the “Worst deal ever made.” As the May deadline approaches for Trump to again sign a Sanctions Waiver against Iran, it seems that the president is looking for someone to support his position that it is time to cut loose.
Trump’s Decision
Despite having quite opposite views on foreign intervention (the president taking a far more Jacksonian approach), Bolton has shown that he is open and friendly to Trump’s style of engagement. Fears that his appointment will lead to Middle Eastern conflicts are nothing more than hyperbole designed to make each decision made in the oval office appear poor.
The fact is that Donald Trump knows exactly what he wants to do in terms of foreign policy, and that little of it can be achieved when his top people oppose his plans. Getting Bolton on board will satisfy many of the more Hawkish lawmakers and allow Trump to demonstrate his personal restraint that will satisfy the Doves. Once again, President Trump appears to be playing chess, bringing in his key pieces (which may or may not be sacrificed), setting up the board, all in order to achieve the inevitable checkmate.
