US security adviser should help steady ties

Frequent change of officials makes US policy erratic

O'Brien, a traditional hawk and once an avid supporter of the Cold War, has become less impulsive and emotional over the past decade. Generally speaking, he is a typical professional strategy and security official, as well as a steadfast defender of US interests. Which means he is in the same camp as neoconservative Bolton and former US president George W. Bush.

Yet, thanks to his experience as a special envoy, today he is more of a seasoned diplomat than a security hawk.

That he has the traits of both a security hawk and a diplomat may have prompted the US president to choose him as the national security adviser. Perhaps the president wanted an official who could act as a check and balance against hawks such as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

So the analysis of certain domestic media outlets that the US' hawkish security policy will continue doesn't hold water, because the US leader has appointed O'Brien to relieve his headache, not to fight and instigate wars.

Besides, O'Brien may have been chosen to help stabilize the shaky administration because the popular belief is that he is easy to work with.

Yet it should be noted that O'Brien is pro-Taiwan as many other US officials including Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David R. Stilwell. As such, Washington may play the "democracy and freedom" cards if Sino-US relations deteriorate.

The frequent changes of the US administration officials represented by four national security advisers and three defense secretaries during one presidential term pose a severe challenge to US policy consistency.

Forty years ago, Kissinger played a vital role in improving Sino-US relations. It is hoped that O'Brien will at least help stabilize relations between the world's two largest economies and help restart high-level dialogues.