White House Asia expert Matt Pottinger to become deputy national security adviser
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In a photo from May 14, 2017, White House Asia policy adviser Matt Pottinger (centre) is pictured with Kim Yong Jae (right), North Korea's minister of external economic relations, at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) in Beijing.
PHOTO: REUTERS
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (REUTERS) - US President Donald Trump's national security adviser said on Sunday (Sept 22) that White House Asia policy adviser Matt Pottinger would become his top deputy.
Mr Robert O'Brien made the announcement on Air Force One as Mr Trump flew from Ohio to New York, where the president will spend most of the week attending events related to the United Nations General Assembly.
Last Wednesday, Mr Trump named Mr O'Brien, a veteran foreign policy hand who had served as US hostage negotiator, to replace Mr John Bolton as national security adviser.
Mr Trump and the hawkish Bolton had differences over foreign policy challenges such as Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea.
Mr Pottinger is a former journalist and ex-US Marine who has helped forge China and North Korea policy since Mr Trump took office in January 2017.
"He's a team player," Mr O'Brien said.
Mr Pottinger played a key role in arranging Mr Trump's summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a diplomatic engagement that has made little progress towards persuading Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.
