Mike Huckabee, a 'Christian conservative' and former governor of Arkansas, who has been nominated as the U.S. ambassador to Israel in the second term of the Donald Trump administration starting next January, argued that international relations, including those in the Middle East, need to be reset. Diagnosing that the impact is already being felt across the Middle East even before Trump’s inauguration, he also revealed a hardline hawkish stance toward adversarial countries such as Iran and China.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, nominated as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel during the second term of the Donald Trump administration, is seen answering questions on Fox News on the night of the 12th (local time). Photo by Fox News
On the 12th (local time), immediately after being appointed as the U.S. ambassador to Israel in the second Trump administration, Huckabee said in an interview with Fox News, "It is now time to completely reset our domestic and international relations," adding, "That is exactly what Trump wants to make clear."
First, when asked how quickly he thinks President-elect Trump can influence the current conflict situation in the Middle East, he responded, "The influence is already showing even before the inauguration," and evaluated, "You can see countries bustling around knowing that a new sheriff (Trump) has come to town across the Middle East." He also emphasized, "He is not Barney (Barney Fife), the indecisive TV character who carries only one bullet in his pocket. This is the real deal. This is the Donald Trump they fear."
Huckabee said he feels "ecstatic" about being nominated as the U.S. ambassador to Israel in the second Trump administration. Earlier, President-elect Trump released a statement regarding Huckabee’s nomination, saying, "Mike is an excellent public servant, governor, and faith leader. He will work tirelessly to bring peace to the Middle East."
In particular, Huckabee said he is deeply impressed by other names included in the second Trump administration. Regarding Steve Witkoff, a 'real estate businessman' appointed as the Middle East envoy on the same day, he evaluated, "He knows the region well." He also praised Ellis Stefanik, nominated as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, saying, "If he, who strongly criticized anti-Hamas professors at congressional hearings, appears at the UN, changes will occur to an extent never seen before in a lifetime," adding, "It will be very interesting. But more importantly, it will be an opportunity to clearly reveal what problems exist at the UN."
In the interview, Huckabee described the 'Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action),' which President-elect Trump unilaterally withdrew from in the past, as a "ridiculous and worst agreement." He also argued, "There is no reason for countries like Iran and communist China, which severely violate human rights, to be on the Human Rights Council and talk about human rights." This reflects the same anti-China, hardline hawkish stance as other administration officials appointed to key national security positions.
The U.S. ambassador to Israel must be confirmed by the Senate. Major foreign media outlets evaluated that Huckabee’s nomination would be a welcome choice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who seeks to strengthen U.S. support for Israel.
Huckabee served as governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. A conservative and former Baptist pastor, he enjoys strong support from the U.S. Christian fundamentalist community. He has also challenged the Republican primary twice for presidential runs in the past. He is also the father of Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary in the first Trump administration and the current governor of Arkansas.
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