Political publication Politico reports that one of the leading candidates to replace Michael Wolf as the U
S. National Security Advisor is Steve Vitkoff. Sources who requested to remain anonymous state that active discussions regarding a potential replacement have been ongoing within the Biden administration for several weeks, but recently these discussions have become particularly intense. Currently, it is known that no final decision has been made, and the question of the new advisor’s candidacy remains open. According to sources, the main contender for this position is Vitkoff — the United States’ special envoy, who has been frequently mentioned in the news lately in connection with his work in international negotiations. According to Politico, Vitkoff is actively engaged in negotiations with representatives of Russia, Iran, and Hamas, especially concerning conflicts in Gaza. His diplomatic experience and reputation among colleagues are emphasized as key advantages for a potential appointment to this responsible position. It is worth noting that earlier this Thursday, the conservative American tabloid The New York Post published an article with critical comments about Vitkoff. In particular, he was once again criticized for his approaches to negotiations with the U.S.’s two main geopolitical adversaries, which sparked discussions among experts and policymakers. The White House has refrained from official comments on this matter. Administration spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt stated that she would not comment on "information from anonymous sources," emphasizing the need to wait for official announcements and avoid speculation. Recall that in March of this year, Michael Wolf was at the center of a scandal. It turned out that he accidentally added the chief editor of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, to a closed Signal messenger chat discussing U.S. strikes in Yemen. The mistake sparked a wave of discussions and heightened political tensions around him. Wolf quickly took responsibility for the incident; however, the question of his further career remained relevant. Although the American president expressed support for him, calling the advisor "a good person" who "learned a lesson" from the situation, media questions about his continued tenure arose again. If this story results in Wolf’s dismissal, it will be the first such large-scale resignation of a top official in the Biden administration. Meanwhile, several sources claim that the process of selecting a new national security advisor is a matter actively discussed by high-ranking U.S. officials, and its decision will significantly influence the country’s future foreign policy course.