National security adviser replaced

US President Donald Trump has named hardline Fox News pundit and formerUN ambassador John Bolton as his new national security adviser, oustingembattled army general H R McMaster.Trump took to Twitter to announce the latest in a cascade of staffchanges, one which calls the future of a landmark deal to curb Iran’snuclear programme into serious doubt.“I am pleased to announce that, effective 4/9/18, @AmbJohnBolton will be my new National Security Advisor,” Trump said.The announcement came just days after he moved to replace secretary ofstate Rex Tillerson with another Iran hawk, CIA director Mike Pompeo.“I am very thankful for the service of General H R McMaster who has donean outstanding job & will always remain my friend,” Trump tweeted.McMaster had been expected to leave later this year, so his exit was no surprise.But Bolton’s nomination has stunned much of Washington.A vocal advocate of the Iraq war, he has also championed pre-emptivestrikes against North Korea and regime change in Iran – making him anoutlier even among Republicans.His appointment had been fiercely opposed by many within Trump’s innercircle, most notably the coterie of military officers who haveexperienced the brutality of war first hand.Bolton – a veteran of the George W Bush administration – will now have acentral role in crafting US foreign policy, refereeing debates betweenAmerica’s spooks, soldiers and diplomats.But his most potent role will be framing the security decisions that make it to Trump’s desk.His ideological approach to American power matches neatly with Trump’stough-talking rhetoric, although the two have not always agreed onoverseas wars.One Republican operative, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted to some concerns about the appointment.“Some folks think he’s a little too hawkish,” the source said. “Butpeople who have worked with him think he’s a pro and will step into thejob knowing the key players, processes and issues.”For his part, Bolton tried to ease fears he would steer Trump by the nose and down the path of war.“I have my views. I’m sure I’ll have a chance to articulate them to thepresident,” he told Fox News. “If the government can’t have a freeinterchange of ideas among the president’s advisers, I think thepresident is not well-served.”Unlike the secretaries of state or defence, the national securityadviser works directly for the president and does not need to beconfirmed by the Senate in order to take up his post.McMaster’s exit is the latest in a string of high-profile departuresfrom the White House that started with national security adviser MichaelFlynn and has also included chief of staff Reince Priebus, chiefstrategist Steve Bannon, economic adviser Gary Cohn and Tillerson.McMaster, a three-star army general, had been expected to move out of the White House and into a four-star position.Instead, he will retire from public life.“After thirty-four years of service to our nation, I am requestingretirement from the US Army effective this summer after which I willleave public service,” he said in a statement. “Throughout my career ithas been my greatest privilege to serve alongside extraordinary servicemembers and dedicated civilians.”McMaster had been brought in to replace Flynn, Trump’s first nationalsecurity adviser, who has since admitted to lying to the special counselRobert Mueller and has turned state’s witness.Bolton’s appointment brought sharply different reactions, which in public cut along predictable party lines.Democratic Senator Edward Markey described the appointment as “a gravedanger to the American people and a clear message from President Trumpthat he is gearing up for military conflict”.Congressman Lee Zeldin, a Trump loyalist, applauded the appointment and described Bolton as “ridiculously knowledgeable”.The Eurasia Group, a risk consultancy, said Bolton’s appointment makes US foreign policy “America First on Steroids”.