US National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster has named Dina Powell to become his deputy, promoting the Cairo-born banker and policymaker to a key White House role.
A senior administration official reported that McMaster appointed Powell as deputy national security adviser with particular responsibility for developing strategy.
Powell is expected to play a broad role in coordinating between military, diplomatic and intelligence agencies and implementing US foreign policy.
The appointment shows McMaster putting his imprimatur on the National Security Council, which had been run by retired general Michael Flynn until weeks ago.
Flynn was forced to resign abruptly amid revelations that he misled the White House about his meetings with the Russian ambassador in Washington.
But many of his allies remain in office, including deputy national security adviser K.T. McFarland, a former Fox News analyst. She is expected to remain at the National Security Council.
In fact, the deputy national security adviser is a vital position for the functioning of US foreign policy.
Most of all crucial decisions are run through “deputies committee” ,which the official chairs , before framed for “principals,” including the secretaries of state and defense and eventually the president.
Powell, President Trump’s senior counselor for economic initiatives and was recently the president of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, is well-respected within the administration.
During her years at Goldman Sachs, she worked with Gary Cohn, Mr. Trump’s senior economic policy adviser, and she is expected to continue her role working on the administration’s economic initiatives, according to the New York Times.
Ms.Powell was born in Egypt, is fluent in Arabic and participated in Trump’s meeting this week with Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Arabian deputy crown prince and defense minister.
During President George W. Bush’s administration, Ms. Powell was an assistant secretary of state for education and cultural affairs.
Before working at the State Department, she was an assistant to the president for personnel.
In the early phase of her career, she worked on Capitol Hill, and she has close relationships with Democrats as well as Republicans.
