washington president-elect donald trump national security transition chaotic others recent memory important position unfilled many people less able will engage substance u.s. officials say uncertainties surround trump personnel policies rise power rattle many america ally include japan germany britain time china assertive russia aggressive terrorism diffuse middle east still unstable north korea nuclear-armed unpredictable say u.s. foreign diplomats disruption uncertainty provide strategic advantage mark lagon ross harrison georgetown university write foreign policy magazine seriously doubt whether trump disruption strategic beneficial u.s. foreign policy interest even get elect act like missile without guidance system top trump officials however describe transition go smoothly include national security republican trump camp announce thursday ask 50 democrat obama appointees stay however least three officials senior intelligence officer two diplomats whose name list request political holdovers depart principal deputy director national intelligence stephanie sullivan secretary state catherine novelli assistant secretary state toria nuland appear jan. 17 partial list people transition want remain trump inauguration friday two diplomats tell colleagues go sullivan keep long-standing plan retire u.s. official say nuland never ask transition stay unaware name appear list state department decline comment trump transition office director national intelligence immediately respond request comment clearly whether uncertainties extend part government another senior official national security agency say trump effort much slow 2001 bill clinton-to-george w. bush 2009 bush-to-barack obama handovers personnel appointments far advance case say official speak condition identify case advance team work substance 2008-2009 transition official say incoming outgo officials work together issue harmonious fashion none case transition add say expect meet likely replacement others transition everybody experience like mine speak reporters thursday vice president-elect michael pence say trump transition complete ahead schedule budget job ready day one american people confident be trump spokesman sean spic also tell reporters contact incoming outgo national security council staff tremendous ream brief say one area frankly aggressive robust meet counterparts ensure team ready go day one trump team respond request comment three state department officials though call transition mess say recently trump team little contact department officials read brief book leave many career officials misgive incoming administration possibility many foreign policy national security veterans may sweep dozen serve officials four intelligence agencies say trouble trump apparent disdain work designate national security advisor michael flynn perceive bend conspiracy theories hostility toward former colleagues say incoming president disinterest brief receive two officials knowledge brief say trump attention wander ask question read brief book give include one russian hack 2016 election request topical sessions one north korea secretary state john kerry nominate replacement rex tillerson meet thursday schedule mesh state department spokesman john kirby tell reporters one obama official deal trump transition team state department speak condition anonymity say appear totally disconnect trump top echelon advisers tillerson tillerson nomination expect get senate foreign relations committee vote monday early u.s. national security handover trump bumpy officials say