James 'Mad Dog' Mattis: Donald Trump's Pentagon pick says US needs to be ready to confront Russia
Updated
Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon has put Russia at the top of a list of threats to US interests, telling Congress that America must be ready to confront it where necessary, even as he backed Mr Trump's bid to engage with Moscow.
Key points:
- Mattis says "the principal threats" to US interests start with Russia
- Mattis says he has spoken to Trump about the importance of NATO
- Republican committee chairman John McCain "happy" with Mattis pick
Retired Marine General James Mattis said Russia, China and Islamist militants were presenting the biggest challenge to the US-led world order since World War II, and called for Congress to lift spending caps undermining military readiness.
His remarks to the Senate Armed Services Committee appeared set to clinch the panel's backing for his nomination, as Russia-wary politicians hope he might temper Mr Trump's stated desire to partner with Moscow.
"I'm all for engagement but we also have to recognise reality in what Russia is up to," Mr Mattis said.
He added there were a "decreasing number of areas" where the United States might cooperate with Moscow.
Asked about the main threats to US interests, Mr Mattis said: "I would consider the principal threats to start with Russia."
The retired general also goes by the name "Mad Dog" — a nickname he picked up for his approach to battles during the Iraq War.
On Thursday, the US Senate overwhelmingly backed a waiver that will allow Mr Mattis to serve as Mr Trump's secretary of defence, despite having retired as a Marine General in 2013.
The US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee also narrowly backed — voting 34 to 28, along party lines — the waiver for a provision of a law on civilian control of the US military requiring a seven-year wait before active-duty military can lead the Department of Defence.
Committee Democrats opposed the measure after Mr Trump's transition team cancelled Mr Mattis' appearance at a committee hearing.
'Putin will never be our partner': McCain
Due to enter the White House in eight days, Mr Trump on Wednesday acknowledged Russia likely hacked the Democratic National Committee and emails of top Democrats during the 2016 presidential election campaign, a conclusion reached by US spy agencies.
Mr Mattis cited Russian involvement in hacking and information warfare among the challenges posed by Moscow.
Others include treaty violations, using tactics short of open war to destabilise other countries and "alarming messages from Moscow regarding the use of nuclear weapons".
Mr Mattis said Russian President Vladimir Putin was trying to undermine NATO, adding he had talked about the importance of the Western military alliance with Mr Trump, who was open to the discussion.
Senator John McCain, the Republican chairman of the committee, said he "could not be happier" about Mr Mattis' nomination — he warned sternly against optimism about engaging with Mr Putin.
"Putin wants to be our enemy. He needs us as his enemy. He will never be our partner," Mr McCain exclaimed.
Mr Mattis also singled out China for its activities in the South China Sea, where it has been building man-made islands with anti-aircraft and anti-missile batteries.
Together with Russian activities and the threats of Islamist extremists, Mr Mattis said China was part of mounting assault on global stability, and the relationship with Beijing needed to be carefully managed.
"I think it (the world order) is under the biggest attack since World War II, sir, and that is from Russia, from terrorist groups, and with what China is doing in the South China Sea," he said, as he railed against defence spending caps imposed by Congress.
Reuters
Topics: world-politics, defence-and-national-security, us-elections, united-states
First posted
