Need for Closer Ties With East to Counter Hawkish US

A senior lawmaker raised the need to boost relations with Russia and China, the main rivals of the US, after its president Donald Trump named a new national security adviser particularly known for his hardline views on Iran.
Trump has picked former US ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, to replace H.R. McMaster as his national security adviser.
Announcing the switch in a tweet on March 22, Trump wrote he was "thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will remain my friend."
The departure of McMaster was not entirely unexpected as he was at odds with Trump over some major policy issues, including Iran.