John Bolton: The conservative hawk tapped by Trump
The new National Security Advisor and the president share a disdain for the current Iran nuclear deal despite broad support among allies. And Bolton could have a belligerent influence on a host of other issues as well.
US President Donald Trump has chosen “war hawk” John R. Bolton to become National Security Advisor, replacing Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster. A veteran of the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, Bolton also served as US Ambassador to the United Nations under George W. Bush from August 2005 to December 2006.
During his break from politics, Bolton penned a memoir titled “Surrender Is Not An Option,” worked with a number of neoconservative think tanks, and as a commentator for the Fox News network.
Here’s where Bolton stands on the issues:
The Iraq War: Bolton is well-known for his support of the conflict, even after a number of Bush administration officials expressed regret over their involvement. As Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs under Bush from 2001 to 2005, Bolton has been accused of manipulating the intelligence about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction that led to the 2003 invasion.
US Marines use heavy equipment to bring down a statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, in 2003
North Korea: The new National Security Advisor has long been a proponent of a military response to provocation from Pyongyang. During a speech in Seoul in 2003, on the eve of six-nation talks about North Korea’s nuclear program, Bolton called then-leader Kim Jong Il a “tyrannical dictator.”
We have a very limited amount of time left before #NorthKorea gains deliverable nuclear weapons. We’ve got to look at the very unattractive choice of using military force to deny them that capability.
Russia: Bolton is a longstanding critic of the Kremlin. More recently, he has refuted allegations that the Trump presidential campaign colluded with Russians, though he does believe that Moscow interfered in the US election. When Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his decision to build new nuclear weapons earlier in March, Bolton wrote on Twitter that “there needs to be a strategic response to Russia’s new nuclear missiles to show our allies in Europe that we will not let Russia push the U.S. or its allies around.”
Iran nuclear deal: Bolton’s animosity to the deal is well known. He has even advocated forcing regime change in Tehran. With his fellow anti-Iran hawk Mike Pompeo being elevated to Secretary of State, the future of the landmark diplomatic deal could be in serious doubt.
Read more:What is the Iran nuclear deal?
The #Irannucleardeal was a strategic mistake in 2015. This deal needs to be abrogated and America must craft a new reality that reflects the actions of the Iranian regime.
Bolton is also known for his support of keeping the controversial prison at Guantanamo Bay open, of moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, and of supporting Taiwan in order to increase pressure on Beijing.
‘America First on steroids’
The appointment of the former Bush administration employee has shocked many, especially considering President Trump has routinely suggested that he thinks the Iraq War was a mistake:
All former Bush administration officials should have zero standing on Syria. Iraq was a waste of blood & treasure.
In South Korea, conservative lawmaker Kim Hack-young called the appointment “worrisome news.”
“North Korea and the United States need to have dialogue, but this only fuels worries over whether the talks will ever happen,” said Kim.
Risk consultancy firm the Eurasia Group said that with the elevation of Bolton and Pompeo, the US’ foreign policy is now effectively “America First on steroids.”
Bolton himself appeared keen to defuse the rhetoric in an interview with Fox News, saying: “Frankly, what I have said in private now, is behind me.”