Haley to replace Tillerson?

Say it isn’t so. A war goddess Hillary clone, Nikki Haley’s extremism makes her unqualified for any public position—a shameful UN envoy choice, a disastrous one as Washington’s chief diplomat.

A previous article explained Rex Tillerson is frustrated over disagreements with Trump on Iran, deep State Department cutbacks, and other issues.

He’s out of the loop on war making, delegated to hawkish administration and Pentagon generals.

He wasn’t consulted about Trump’s travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries, or use of special forces in Yemen and Somalia. Nor is he involved America’s phony war on terror.

He reportedly expressed frustration about being left out of some foreign policy decisions, along with being overruled by Trump on staff selections he prefers and a downsized State Department he opposes.

He said his job is world’s apart from being ExxonMobil’s CEO. He had the last word on policymaking—far different from his administration role.

His spokesman RC Hammond was quoted, saying “[t]he secretary sends over recommendations and they sit on the dock.”

Weeks earlier, an unnamed senior administration official said Haley is under consideration to replace him, adding there’s a “75–80% chance [he] is out and Haley in. Have [congressional] leadership prepare for it.”

Last Sunday on Fox News, Tillerson declined to say if Trump’s views represent American values. “[T]he president speaks for himself,” he said, clearly indicating a sour relationship, a strong sign he wants out.

In April, Politico reported that Trump asked Haley to serve as secretary of state last November post-election. She declined saying she lacked enough foreign policy experience for the job.

As UN envoy, she’s been more outspoken on geopolitical issues than Tillerson, the world body her platform to express views—extremist on virtually everything, especially on Syria, Iran, North Korea and Russia.

Tillerson and Sergey Lavrov have reasonably cordial relations under very tough conditions—with near unanimous congressional hostility toward Moscow, undermining improved ties.

If Haley succeeds Tillerson, Deputy National Security Advisor Dina Powell may replace her.

Change could be imminent or perhaps around the year-end holiday period. Given mutual Trump/Tillerson disenchantment with each other, the secretary’s departure appears likely at an appropriate time.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.” Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

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