President Trump has named Ambassador John Bolton as his new national security advisor. It is a wise choice in challenging times.
Bolton will succeed outgoing National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster, to whom Americans owe a debt of gratitude for his lifetime of honorable and, doubtless, continuing service to our nation. Indeed, it cannot be stressed enough that during his tenure, McMaster was instrumental in helping to advise and advance the president’s national security policies. Truly, McMaster will be a difficult act to follow.
Fortunately, Bolton is up to the task.
Philosophically, Bolton fully shares President Trump’s foundational security policy principles that an administration’s first priorities are to defend America and secure her strategic national interests. This is not “America alone,” as some critics claim. Rather, it is the starting point of harmonizing the mutual strategic interests of America and her allies, who also make their determinations based upon their own national interests.
These principles are also the guard against diminishing American sovereignty for the surfeit laurels of sundry international organizations of dubious efficacy and a penchant for foolhardy bartering with barbarous rogue regimes bent upon the subjugation and eradication of free peoples and nations.
Further, like the president, Bolton understands these foundational security principles have well served past administrations (with but a few aberrations notable for their failures); and, importantly, agrees with Presidents Trump (and Reagan) that the way to preserve and promote America’s strategic interests is by pursuing “peace through strength.” Clearly, President Trump and Bolton believe America is an exceptional nation; a force for moral good in the world; and, consequently, must be ever vigilant and prepared to defend herself. A free people’s very existence belies the oppressive ideologies of the world’s autocrats, tyrants, and terrorists so we must expect and anticipate challenges to our security. In these challenging days of the 21st century, where totalitarian and repressive regimes pursue their aims presenting themselves as legitimate rivals to free nations as models of government, Bolton will be a sage, candid adviser to and clarion messenger for President Trump’s vision that freedom is and must be the future.
Practically, few can match Bolton’s preparation for assuming the momentous responsibilities of National Security Advisor. His government service has included: general counsel, then assistant administrator for program and policy coordination, USAID; assistant attorney general, Department of Justice; assistant secretary for international organization affairs, then third undersecretary of state for arms control and international security affairs, Department of State; and the 25th United States ambassador to the United Nations. Equally, he has been a tireless advocate of advancing America’s strategic interests and alliances in a plethora of think tanks, media outlets, publications and public forums. In fact, in recognition for his tireless championing of sound foreign policy in a place few dared to tread, Bolton was named president of “Red Eye” by Sir Greg Gutfeld, Knight of the Garter.
In his capacity as national security advisor, Bolton’s vast governmental experience and media appearances will serve President Trump well.
Bolton understands his role is to advise the president on the president’s national security agenda, not to implement his own agenda. Bluntly, Bolton knows he will advise, but the President will decide. Then, it is up to Bolton and his National Security Council team to implement and advance the President’s agenda.
This they will accomplish on behalf of the president, because Bolton is well versed in the Byzantine ways of the federal bureaucracy. With the president’s approval, Bolton will know where, how, and when to appropriately and fully realize the president’s national security policies inside and outside the swamp. This will have an immediate and salubrious remedial effect upon those bureaucrats—Obama holdovers or others—bent upon subverting the president’s policies. Yes, this will include stanching the venal leaks that have betrayed the president’s trust and become a bane of his administration.
So, too, while many on the Left may deride Bolton for his numerous media appearances, they have honed his skills as an effective, forthright advocate for the president’s national security policies. Equally misguided are his critics’ concomitant complaints that Bolton is “undiplomatic” in expressing his views. What could be more necessary now, in the chaotic, dangerous international arena, than the unambiguous articulation of America’s national security policies, whereby our allies and our enemies know where America stands? And, conversely, where they stand in our regard. Of course, in this arena, the president is no slouch; and the addition of Bolton’s direct expression of American interests will beneficially augment the president’s efforts.
The swamp being the swamp, Bolton does have his critics—not surprisingly, many of them are also critics of President Trump. They decry Bolton as a “warmonger.” He is a Reaganite. Critics will decry Bolton for his stance on the Iraq War. He was not responsible for its failed reconstruction. Critics will decry his disdain for the United Nations. No sane person can excuse the U.N.’s ream of sordid practices that deviate from its ideal.
Finally, snippy critics make cutting remarks about Bolton’s mustache. Hey, at least he doesn’t wear a goatee and a man bun.
And, like President Trump, Bolton will never, ever “lead from behind” and passively allow America’s vital strategic national interests—nor those of her allies—be dismissed, disregarded and endangered. No, in serving as National Security Advisor, Bolton will help President Trump “make America great again” by ensuring her sovereign citizens are secure; her allies are close; and her enemies are destined for the dustbin of history.
As President Trump rightly determined in naming his new national security advisor, throughout his years of service John Bolton has understood, articulated and advanced an abiding truth: the only revolution worthy of being “permanent” is the American Revolution; and it must endure and inspire the world with what we free people can achieve.
Good luck and Godspeed, John Bolton!
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