H.R. McMaster

Herbert Raymond McMaster is a retired United States Army lieutenant general who served as National Security Advisor under President Trump from 2017 to 2018. His military career spans three decades of combat command, including roles in the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

McMaster brings senior strategic and operational experience to public debates on deterrence, great-power competition, and the evolving character of warfare — contexts in which autonomous systems and AI-enabled capabilities are increasingly central. His thinking on adversary behavior and military readiness informs policy discussions shaping how Western militaries approach autonomous weapons development.