Pompeo a pick for tougher policies

Latest White House addition a good fit for Trump, reckon experts

Known for hawkish foreign policy views, the incoming US secretary of state seems far more eager to rock the boat than his predecessor. That may indicate a more tumultuous road ahead, and may push Washington to further turn up the heat on countries like the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, US experts said.

Mike Pompeo, the new nominee for the post, is likely to be tougher than his predecessor, Rex Tillerson, on key US foreign-policy issues. That could egg on President Donald Trump's administration to behave in a more hawkish manner, especially regarding Iran and tensions on the Korean Peninsula, experts said.

"The White House will likely take a tougher stance on foreign policy because there will be fewer impediments to Trump being Trump," said Brookings Institution senior fellow Darrell West.

Pompeo's nomination came at a time of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, despite the goodwill expressed at the recent Winter Games in the Republic of Korea.

While Tillerson was seen as a voice of reason, the Trump administration wants to fill the position of head diplomat with someone who is more like Trump - eager to shake things up.

Pompeo has made numerous hawkish statements about the DPRK. In October, he said Pyongyang would soon be able to threaten a US city with nukes, and blasted previous US presidents for failure to stop the perceived threat.

With Pompeo in a key position, "the president will have greater leeway to follow his own instincts on foreign policy and he will be less restrained in taking actions", West said.

Experts also said that having Pompeo at his side, instead of the less confrontational Tillerson, could result in a more impulsive US president.

"Trump probably will be more impulsive and more prone to rattle cages around the world," West said of the change Pompeo could bring to the administration.

Pompeo's priority

If he is confirmed by Congress, Pompeo's first job will be to deal with the summit meeting with the DPRK, which is slated for May, although it remains unknown exactly what his plans are for that summit. Experts reckon he will continue to exert pressure on the DPRK, and even ratchet up the heat on its top leader Kim Jong-un.

Troy Stangarone, senior director with the Washington-based Korea Economic Institute, said that Tillerson's exit removes one of the White House's voices of moderation and engagement.

"While Tillerson was often undercut by Trump, his efforts at diplomacy are most likely underappreciated in getting us to the point where we are now," said Stangarone.

"Pompeo's appointment should strengthen the voices of skepticism toward North Korea and support taking a harder line in general and at the (May) summit with Kim Jong-un."

"Pompeo is respected by the president and will be seen as representing his views."