Trump names counter-insurgency strategist as national security adviser

Washington

US President Donald Trump tapped respected Army lieutenant-general HR McMaster as his national security adviser on Monday, hoping to course-correct after his first pick resigned and his second turned down the vital post.

Mr Trump announced the counter-insurgency strategist's appointment at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago, ending a one-week search to replace Michael Flynn, who lasted less than a month on the job.

Mr Flynn was forced to resign on Feb 13, after questionable contacts with the Russian government and revelations that he lied about them to the vice-president and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Mr Trump scrambled to replace Mr Flynn after retired vice-admiral Robert Harward turned down the post, amid a wrangling over lower-level Nation…