US security adviser should help steady ties

Editor's Note: Robert O'Brien, US special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, was named the national security adviser last week after his predecessor John Bolton was fired because of purported differences with US President Donald Trump on Iran and Venezuela. How will this affect the US national security and foreign policies? Two experts share their views on the issue with China Daily's Liu Jianna. Excerpts follow:

Perhaps a boon to US foreign policy

The appointment of O'Brien will not sway the US' national security and foreign policies much because the US president is the one who calls the shots. And the role O'Brien will be permitted to play depends on the US president since there is no written rule on the function and power of the national security adviser.