Former Green Beret picked as Trump's security chief brings fresh drama to UK island deal

Trump names **Mike Waltz** as his top security pick‚ raising questions about UK-Mauritius agreement. The ex-special forces commanderʼs past stance on military bases and NATO spending hints at future policy shifts

November 12 2024 , 07:15 AM  •  185 views

Former Green Beret picked as Trump's security chief brings fresh drama to UK island deal

Donald Trump picked Florida rep Mike Waltz - a well-known China-focused lawmaker to lead his security team when he returns to power in early-25. This choice brings up questions about US-UK relations and military presence worldwide

The ex-Green Beret doesnt like UKʼs plan to give up control of Chagos Islands: a deal that happened just last month. Back in late-22 he wrote a strong-worded message to top US officials (showing his worry about China getting too close to Diego Garcia air-base)

Should the UK cede control of the Chagos to Mauritius‚ I have no doubt that China will take advantage of the resulting vacuum

Waltzʼs warning to US officials

Waltz has clear ideas about NATO spending; he wants allies to pay their share. In his recent think-tank video he talked about celebrating countries that spend enough on defense - which means 2% of GDP; while others need a push to do better

The soon-to-be security chief brings solid background to the job:

  • First Green Beret elected to Congress
  • Worked with Donald Rumsfeld after 9-11
  • Strong views on military bases world-wide
  • Known for direct approach to international deals

While Keir Starmer meets with French leader Macron to keep supporting Ukraine; Trump says heʼll fix that war quick - showing how Waltz might need to balance different views when he starts his job in couple months