National Security Council Dina Powell

powell (at far right) during april 2017 syrian missile strike operation being woman present attracted notice.

on march 15, 2017, powell named post of deputy national security advisor strategy, while retaining economic position well, although nsc 1 expected major in terms of time served. impetus assignment came named national security advisor, h. r. mcmaster, himself responding people outside administration suggesting name. in new role seen rival existing deputy, former commentator k. t. mcfarland. expected brief focus on fostering inter-agency cooperation, how lack of national security background, , fact past administration experiences revolved around use of soft power play out in new administration dedicated use of hard power, unclear.

within white house factional battles between forces of steve bannon, included likes of julia hahn , sebastian gorka, against of jared kushner, powell seen aligned relative moderates, being kushner, ivanka, , fellow goldman sachs figure gary cohn, cohn kushner being faction leader. bannon criticized 4 democrats , globalists , although powell, @ least, had solid bona fides republican , defended several republican senators principled conservative. longtime republican operative charlie black additionally said, “it’s important people understand dina powell worked dick armey , george w. bush. she’s no liberal.” powell had considerably more experience in government others in group of four.

powell during may 2017 meeting egyptian officials took place in saudi arabia

in april 2017 new york times labeled powell rising star in national security establishment, appellation echoed vogue magazine, while associated press wrote dina powell has quietly established herself white house power. additionally, washington post wrote 1 of interesting figures in new administration. in part level of attention because in month, mcmaster elevated deputy strategy position higher role within nsc, meaning powell came attend both principals committee , national security council deputies committee. @ same time mcmaster arranged imminent departure of mcfarland. part, powell assisted mcmaster in development of working relationships various members of cabinet. € in addition, powell attempted guide mcmaster on best ways have useful interchanges chief executive himself.

powell 1 of key figures in securing release of egyptian aid worker aya hijazi. regarding may 2017 report of donald trump revelation of classified information russia, present in room during, stated: story false.

powell (towards right) other administration officials among hosts during visit saudi arabia, may 2017

she among top officials escorting chief executive on first foreign trip, in may 2017 started two-day stay in saudi arabia. indeed, had been heavily involved in planning middle eastern potion of trip. involved in several negotiations middle eastern parties, woman @ table. declined follow saudi customs , not did not cover hair wore dress revealed legs well. ensured 1 of headliner speeches made reference women s rights in saudi arabia. in this, powell s prior experience in government , set of contacts in arab world played key role in making first part of trip successful venture, , had done of advance work prior trip. 1 connected former official said, normal white house have larger cohort of experienced people, dina’s own experience means she’s more valuable — , more influential. new york times story characterized powell power inside administration, reassuring worried outsiders.

beginning in june 2017, powell involved u.s. efforts free assorted american hostages held in countries overseas, particularly in agency of informing families. following month 1 of accompanying on trip poland , germany en toward 2017 g20 hamburg summit. coming under sustained attack gotnews.com, owned charles c. johnson, nativist blogger mike cernovich, , such ilks being aligned mcmaster globalist faction of security council. @ same time came in highly positive media treatments in more mainstream outlets business insider, titles such how goldman sachs legend dina powell became trump s national security star .

she went middle east on next kushnerian peace process trip. took place in late august 2017 , made involvement of envoy jason greenblatt. time likes of bannon , gorka gone white house while powell still ascendant force there. trip viewed positively within administration, continued think israeli-palestinian peace deal achievable. followed secret trip middle east made kushner, powell, , others. november 2017 part of core 4 drafting plan comprehensive middle east peace, along kushner, greenblatt, , u.s. ambassador israel david m. friedman. given other 3 orthodox jews various ties israel, powell s presence native-born egyptian important.

throughout turmoil in administration 2017 wore on, powell effective in keeping low profile , maintaining trust of chief executive. indeed, mentioned possible replacement ambassador un nikki haley should person replace speculations-for-depaturing secretary of state rex tillerson.