TRUMP’S NOT ACTING LIKE A PUTIN STOOGE, BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT THE NARRATIVE CARES ABOUT: Trump Names Putin Hawk to NSC.

For those genuinely concerned about the Russia threat, Hill is exactly the kind of person one would want in the White House. She has immense credibility as both a Russia scholar and an experienced intelligence official, and she brings an unsentimental understanding of the Kremlin’s inner workings to bear on her role. Hill’s book Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin is easily one of the best studies of Putin’s motivations and machinations at the head of the Russian state.

Between Defense Secretary Mattis, National Security Adviser McMaster, and now Fiona Hill, Trump is stacking his security team with seasoned Russia hawks who are deeply skeptical about Moscow’s intentions. And the White House already seems to be readjusting to the reality that a major reset is not in the cards. According to Senator Bob Corker, who was an early contender to be Trump’s Secretary of State, Trump’s expectations for cooperation with Russia are “hugely diminishing,” and the prospects of a “grand bargain” with Putin seem increasingly faint.

Every new president wants a reset with the Russians. They all learn it’s a pipe dream. Trump’s learned a lot faster than Obama did. In fact, I’m not sure Obama worried about the Russians until Hillary lost.