Thread by @JonahBlank

#RobertOBrien, the new National Security Advisor, is virtually unknown within #foreignpolicy circles.

Who is he? @politico has a profile. Brief thread on what it shows <1/8>
politico.com/story/2019/09/…

New NSA #RobertOBrien has none of the experience typically needed for arguably the most important job in #foreignpolicy/#nationalsecurity.

Here's what he was doing during his only prior stint in govt. I was working in NatSec at the time: These aren't significant posts <2/8>

New NSA #RobertOBrien is described as a "hostage negotiator," but it is unclear whether he has ever negotiated the release of a hostage. For example, he had nothing to do with release of citizens held by #NorthKorea (unlike #JimmyCarter, @BillClinton, Bill Richardson etc) <3/8>

Indeed the only "hostage" identified as having been "freed" by #RobertOBrien is celebrity #ASAPRocky.

Who was never a hostage: He was legally tried and legally convicted of assault by a legitimate court in #Sweden, and released after serving his sentence. <4/8>

So why was #RobertOBrien chosen for the job of coordinating #ForeignPolicy/#NationalSecurity between White House, @StateDept, @DeptofDefense & rest of govt? Three reasons:
1. Shameless flattery:
<5/8>

So why was #RobertOBrien chosen for the job of coordinating #ForeignPolicy/#NationalSecurity between White House, @StateDept, @DeptofDefense & rest of govt? Three reasons:
2. He will do the bidding of @SecPompeo :
<6/8>

So why was #RobertOBrien chosen for the job of coordinating #ForeignPolicy/#NationalSecurity between White House, @StateDept, @DeptofDefense & rest of govt? Three reasons:
3. The president does not consider National Security Advisor to be a real job:
<7/8>

Despite all of this, why should everyone who cares about #ForeignPolicy or #NationalSecurity eagerly welcome the appointment of #RobertOBrien as National Security Advisor?

He isn't #JohnBolton
<8/8>