Donald Trump, on Tuesday, November 12, confirmed his pick of Mike Waltz, a former US special forces officer and a noted foreign policy hawk, for the influential role of national security advisor.

Trump described the Republican congressman as "a nationally recognized leader in national security" and "an expert on the threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorism."

The decorated former Green Beret is set to be one of Trump's closest advisors in the incoming US administration, as it faces a raft of foreign policy challenges, including the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon.

Waltz has publicly framed China as an "existential" threat to the United States. He is harshly critical of Russia's government while arguing that the current US policy of boosting Ukraine's war effort needs to end in favor of Trump's so-far vague promise of a negotiated settlement. "Just pouring more billions in (to Ukraine) is the definition of insanity at this point," he has said.

The Florida congressman delivered a speech praising Trump at the Republican National Convention in July in which he called for "peace through America's strength." In a statement, Trump described Waltz as "a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda."

Huckabee as ambassador to Israel

Trump also announced on Tuesday that he has nominated Mike Huckabee as the next ambassador to Israel, saying the former Arkansas state governor will "work tirelessly" for peace in the Middle East. "Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him," Trump said in a statement.

Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align US foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Huckabee has led paid tour group visits to Israel for years, frequently advertising the trips on conservative-leaning news outlets.