President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, left, at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. (image: AP)On Monday, Trump named hawkish Army Lt. General HR McMaster to replace Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor (NSA).
Political pressure lead to his unfortunate sacking for harmlessly discussing sanctions with Russia’s US ambassador.
Twice passed over for brigadier general, McMaster earned two more stars in less than six years after getting his first one, a remarkable advancement – given to warriors, not peace advocates.
As a lieutenant general, he was US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) deputy commanding general in charge of the Army Capabilities Integration Center (ARCIC) – tasked with devising strategies for America’s next war and how to win it.
Known as a tough, outspoken, detail-oriented intellectual with a reputation for battlefield acumen, he remains on active duty in his new position.
Acting National Security Advisor General Keith Kellogg will work with him as chief of staff, Trump announced.
A 1984 West Point graduate, McMaster earned a doctorate in American history at the University of North Carolina. His dissertation criticized US Vietnam War strategy, explained further in his book titled “Dereliction of Duty.”
The war’s illegality went unmentioned, US naked aggression against Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, nations threatening no others.
As a captain, McMaster won a Silver Star for service during the 1991 Gulf War, illegal by any standard, a walkover from mid-January to February 28, massacring tens of thousands of Iraqis. US aggression remains ongoing, defenseless civilians suffering most.
During Bush/Cheney’s war on Iraq, McMaster served under General David Petraeus, involved in his so-called counterterrorism operations.
Known for challenging conventional wisdom, a White House spokeswoman said Trump “gave full authority for McMaster to hire whatever staff he sees fit.”
Passed over for NSA, Trump said former UN envoy (neocon) John Bolton will serve in an unspecified administration role, a disturbing development, given his rage for endless wars.
McMaster will be chief advisor to the president on national security issues, a major administration position, needing no Senate confirmation.
He’s a warrior, in 2015 saying “(w)hat we have to do is really develop the ability to think clearly about future war.” Last spring, he lied, accusing Russia of invading Ukraine and annexing Crimea. “What is needed is forward deterrence,” he advised. Not good signs!
Washington has lots of hawks, doves in short supply – especially with disturbing hostility toward Russia, China and Iran, risking direct confrontation.
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