President-elect selects Republican Senate staffer and Muslim Brotherhood critic to lead NSC Middle East team, as he prepares to tackle Gaza war and expand Abraham Accords in second term.

Trager, a Senate Armed Services Committee staffer and former Washington Institute fellow, has focused his research on Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood

Eric Trager would replace Brett McGurk, who has played a central role in the Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

President-elect Trump is expected to announce Eric Trager as Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa on the National Security Council, a congressional aide told The Hill. Trager has served as a professional staff member for Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee since 2018.