Trump: Robert O'Brien is new security adviser

The thing went like a casting show. At one point, Donald Trump announced he had 15 potential candidates to succeed the outraged security adviser, John Bolton. Then there were only five again. Now the winner is set. Robert O'Brien, a diplomat from the State Department, says it will be the will of the president. "Robert is fantastic," enthuses Trump.

Probably Trump would have liked to postpone the replacement of the post a little, he loves such productions with suspense. But the job of the security adviser is too important in the administration to leave him vacant for a long time. Especially in this time, when everything is burning: The conflict with Iran is getting worse almost every day and could lead to a war at any moment.

What does Robert O'Brien stand for?

So now O'Brien. For most political nerds in Washington, the trained lawyer from Los Angeles is an unknown, also because he worked in his previous role as a special representative for hostage negotiations, especially in the background. Not so for Trump: The president knows him well, he had to deal directly with O'Brien in several hostage cases, such as in the negotiations with Turkey on the release of the American clergy Andrew Brunson.

Even as Trump recently came up with the idea to let the rapper A $ AP Rocky be released from a Swedish detention after a fight, O'Brien was on hand. It was the only time he really hit the headlines so far. Although Sweden is not known as a lawless state and Rocky could hardly be called a hostage. But negotiating expert O'Brien still flew to Stockholm, and the rapper was allowed to leave the country after his conviction.

So Trump O'Brien learned to appreciate: With the various releases he gave the President some of his rare foreign policy successes.

O'Brien is extremely loyal, he is considered a loyal Trump fan, he also knows his weakness for flattery. According to traveling reporters aboard the Air Force, Trump enthusiastically reported that O'Brien had called him, Trump, "the biggest hostage negotiator in history." "He's right," said Trump with satisfaction. Shortly afterwards, President O'Brien announced his appointment as security adviser.

Robert C. O'Brien, currently serving as the very successful Special Presidential Envoy for Hostess Affairs at the State Department, as our new National Security Advisor. I worked long and hard with Robert. He wants to do a great job!

On a wavelength with Bolton

One question now is how long will the new man endure in the ejection seat in the White House. As you know, Trump surrounds himself with many consultants, but at the end of the day he decides to go the way he likes, even contrary to their ideas.

An advantage for O'Brien is likely that he came on the recommendation of Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo to the new job. With O'Brien's gnarled predecessor Bolton, Pompeo was constantly crisscrossing, O'Brien, however, is considered an affable guy who copes well with many different characters. Together with Pompeo, he is likely to appear as a team in the future, which may help to minimize the confusion in foreign and security issues in the White House.

Content O'Brien stands for a view of foreign and security policy, which is not so unlike the hard line of his predecessor Bolton. He relies on American strength, politically, economically and militarily. He sees the US as the leading world power fighting against the evil in the world. He wants to cultivate traditional alliances and push back rivals like Russia and China.

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In his book "While America Slept," published in 2016, O'Brien sharply criticizes former US President Barack Obama's foreign policy. The world had become increasingly dangerous during his term. Obama's "back-to-back" approach has strengthened America's opponents and disappointed allies.

Sharp criticism of Trump's predecessor - Number 45 should like that

Especially in relation to countries such as Iran Obama has shown too much leniency and weakness, writes O'Brien. On the cover, John Bolton advertises the book: O'Brien's essays are a "must-read" for all foreign and security politicians, he enthuses.

Prior to joining the Trump administration, O'Brien worked as a consultant to former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who, like him, is a member of the Mormon's small but influential religious community. He also served as US Representative to the United Nations during the reign of George W. Bush.

Among the most important tasks now waiting for the new, the Iran crisis should belong. After the attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities Trump continues to show restrained, regarding a possible military operation.

Graham complains, Bolton steps on

Will he hold this position for a long time? Even within their own party Trump's Iran policy is not undisputed. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who is actually a Trump friend, has been criticizing his stance for days: "It's obvious that what we're doing does not work," he said in an interview. And: The Iranians had obviously interpreted Trump's decision to renounce a retaliatory strike after shooting down a US drone in the summer as "weakness."

The former security adviser Bolton rumbles in the background: Several US media report that Bolton had criticized sharply at a dinner in New York Trump's policy. Trump's desired negotiations with North Korea or Iran are doomed to failure, Bolton said.

Security adviser O'Brien did not want to comment on his plans on Wednesday. He was also silent about Iran. In a joint appearance with Trump, he announced only that he would now bring on the issue of Iran quickly "upright". Then he will give his advice to the president. Confidential, of course.