Obama’s national security advisor
South Asia is one of the many challenges that awaits President-elect Barack Obama and his security team. Arguably, the most important member of that team is the national security advisor, and James Jones is the man Mr. Obama wants for the job. The World’s Matthew Bell profiles James Jones, and what his appointment means for the Obama Administration.
Retired four-star General James Jones is a former commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. He’s a former commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Europe. And he’s a combat veteran who was awarded the Silver Star for valor in Vietnam. By choosing someone with those kinds of military credentials to be national security advisor, Barack Obama is sending a message, according to foreign policy expert David Rothcopf of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace:
"This is not going to be an administration that’s reluctant to use force where it’s necessary, or one that is going to make the mistake of distancing itself from the military as some past administrations have done."
In the past, some national security advisors have been little more than paper shufflers; some have become forceful policy makers in their own right. Ultimately, it will be up to Barack Obama to decide that kind of role Jones plays as national security advisor.
PRI’s "The World" is a one-hour, weekday radio news magazine offering a mix of news, features, interviews, and music from around the globe. "The World" is a co-production of the BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Boston.
The story you just read is available for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
Make a gift today, and you’ll get us one step closer to our goal of raising $25,000 by June 14. We need your help now more than ever!