USA: "Two for the price of one"- N . Korea firing long-range ICBM and appointment General J.F.Kelly White House Chief of Staff

General John F,Kelly

North Korea has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, according to multiple military reports, just weeks after the country tested a similar rocket capable of hitting parts of the US.

The US defense department said Friday's early morning launch appeared to be that of a long-range ICBM.

After South Korea's military and Shinzo Abe, Japan's prime minister, confirmed the report, the governments in Seoul and Tokyo convened meetings of their national security councils.

US President Donald Trump said the missile launch was "only the latest reckless and dangerous action by the North Korean regime".

He said the US "will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and to protect it's allies in the region".

It could be coincidental, but less than 24 hours after North Korea fired it's ICBM, landing close to the coast of Japan, the president took to Twitter on Friday evening to announce that his new chief of staff will be 4 star General John F. Kelly, who is currently serving as the Secretary of Homeland Security.

"I am pleased to inform you that I have just named 4 star General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American ...," Trump tweeted to his more than 34 million followers, "... and a Great Leader. John has also done a spectacular job at Homeland Security."

After graduating from the University of Massachusetts in 1976, General Kelly became an officer in the Marine Corps. He served in various positions with the U.S. military over the years, including as Special Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander in Belgium. He returned to the U.S. in 2001, becoming a brigadier general in 2002.

General Kelly also served a tour in Iraq and was eventually placed in charge of the United States Southern Command, a position he held until January 2016. That "had him in charge of military operations in 32 countries in the Caribbean, Central America and South America," according to PBS.

The new White House Chief of staff,, who as a General is obviously very familiar with the importance of a "chain of command", when it comes to running an operation is expected to bring some order in what is now considered a chaotic White House Administration/. 

Obviously the other benefit, putting two and two together, is that General Kelly will also come in very handy to President Trump as an advisor when he requires expert counsel on dealing with the North Korean ,missile threat and potential retaliation.

EU-Digest