Lieutenant Herbert McMaster is the new US National Security Advisor

US President Donald Trump appointed Lieutenant General Herbert Raymond McMaster as his new National Security Advisor on Monday, Patria reports. McMaster is known for his directness, which sometimes includes challenging superiors.

McMaster is particularly respected for his military tactics and strategic thinking, but his appointment surprised many because his frequent questioning of authority sometimes hindered his military career, Reuters writes.

One issue on which Trump and McMaster might differ in opinion is Russia. McMaster shares the widely accepted view of the US national security establishment that Russia is a threat and antagonist to the US, while McMaster's predecessor Flynn held the view that it is a geopolitical partner.

Republican Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a frequent critic of Trump, praised McMaster as an „excellent choice“.

- I congratulate President Trump on this decision, McCain said in a statement.

The National Security Advisor is an independent adviser to the president and as such does not require confirmation by the US Senate. He has significant influence on foreign policy and attends meetings of the National Security Council together with the heads of the State Department, the Department of Defense and key security agencies.

54-year-old McMaster graduated from the West Point military academy and earned a doctorate in American history from the University of North Carolina. Time magazine included him on its list of the 100 most influential people in 2014, partly due to his willingness to oppose the system.

A military veteran, McMaster gained fame in the first Gulf War when he was awarded the Silver Star.