Oh snap, grab my belt, we’re going deep.
This move is not unexpected; especially for those who have followed the Trump Doctrine for the past two years. President Trump has announced reception of a notification from Defense Secretary James Mattis that he intends to retire.
The move makes sense on multiple levels. President Trump has been executing a policy, a clear doctrine of sorts, where national security is achieved by leveraging U.S. economic power. It is a fundamental shift in approach.
Initially, the traditional military interventionist approach couldn’t just be reversed or dispatched; and James Mattis was the bridge to a path forward. Toward that end President Trump remove military constraints, allow rules of engagement that were much stronger, and let Mattis work on confronting and stamping out terror threats. In essence, an aggressive “lets get this over with” approach.
However, that strong-arm military approach cannot continue indefinitely because it will never end. War and intervention have a history of unnecessarily expanding, if not constrained. The war machine turns into a military business.
President Trump wants U.S. troops brought home from all the “stupid wars”; and as a consequence the time for Defense Secretary Mattis was sure to come to an end.
The Trump Doctrine of using economics to achieve national security objectives is a fundamental paradigm shift, history provides no reference.
Obama fired Gen. Mattis. Gen. Mattis leaves Trump showing respect and gratitude. He can’t be surprised by Trump’s actions; Trump campaigned on them and he is doing what he promised he would do.
We never had any business in Syria. Obama created the ISIS mess and also encouraged the Muslim Brotherhood to destabilize all the secular Muslim countries. The UN showed no interest in Syria, so why should we? Let them destroy each other.
Syria is Russia’s baby. Obama let them in and let them become dominant. We aren’t going to fight Russia over Syria and we shouldn’t be fighting ISIS for Russia’s benefit. I hope we stay in Iraq a while longer and make sure ISIS does not cross back into there until the Iraqi’s are fully ready.
If you aren’t worried about Mattis’ departure, you don’t understand the significance of what’s happening. The buffer between Trump’s impulsive, clueless behavior and the military is leaving.
General Mattis’ resignation letter.
@Greg: You want to stay in Syria?
What do you think Vladimir Putin wants us to do? Maybe our military leaders should have a bit more to say about it.
@Greg: Maybe they should have listened to Stormin’ Norman and stayed out of the endless mire of the middle east.
@Deplorable Me:
My understanding is that we will remain in Iraq. Reading between the lines I think Mattis was referring in part to the Kurds. They are one of our staunchest allies. Unlike “allies” Britain and Spain, they didn’t retreat from Iraq when the going got tough and unlike Britain, they didn’t meddle in our 2016 election. Obama threw them under the bus when he let ISIS waltz in there and now it looks like they may be getting tossed under the bus again this time via Turkey, an “ally” who wouldn’t allow 4ID to go into northern Iraq via their country, a move which prevented us from cutting off and crushing fleeing Saddam forces who then became part of the insurgency that took American lives. So a staunch ally (the Kurds) may pay a price and a country that stabbed us in the back (Turkey) will likely benefit. The Kurds also warned that the move would lead to a rebirth of ISIS. Obama ignored their warnings and look at what happened. Hopefully PT isn’t making the same mistake.
We don’t need to be in Syria but we also shouldn’t throw the Kurds under the bus again. One of my major points of disagreement with PT is his views on the Iraq War. It wasn’t a “stupid war”. The region would be much more dangerous with another out of control, terrorist supporting dictator in there. However, watch all of the lefties who backed Obama’s throwing the Kurds under the bus all of a sudden become supporters of the Kurds and who criticized Mattis as a warmonger come out and support him.
@Greg:
Mattis “retiring” or resigning because he doesn’t see eye to eye with Trump? Methinks the latter.
I’m one of those who believes Trump is clueless on foreign policy. He’s trying to save U.S. money….but at what cost? Retreating our military reach and influence in the world will only see countries like Russia and China attempt to fill the vacuum. Syria exit = Xmas gift to Iran, Russia, ISIS, & Assad.
@another vet: Agreed! It troubles me that we are abandoning our Kurdish allies….again. It’s like OBL was right: America is a paper tiger. That’s the perception; possibly the reality.
Putin applauds “Donald”. The Code Pink wing of the Democratic Party and Ron Paul wing of the Republican Party should be tickled pink over U.S. retreat from Syria and Afghanistan.
And Trump declaring victory over ISIS? Really?!
@Greg:
Its not up to our Military Leaders to say where we should go or when we should leave. That’s the COC and our elected officials job. Their job is to tell them the best ways to get the job done.
Queston: after all these years of listening to you hear and your great wisdom. I often wonder,
“Who ties your shoelaces for you?”
RlTW
Si vis pacem, para bellum
@Shyshark: Gregs mom got him velcro closures he is all space age like that and she has placed an R and an l on the bottoms so he gets them on the correct feet.
Trump wont be arming the terrorists or funding them, then act all surprised when the region is all blowing up and stuff.
@Greg:
Ask Hillary. He wanted her President, I’m sure he still comments on all her emails she blind copied him on.
Like they did when he wouldn’t reinforce Gen. McCrystal in Afghanistan in time for a spring offensive or pulled all US troops out of Iraq despite warnings about ISIS? If it was OK with you then, why are you so worried about it now?
@Wordsmith:
Why does it matter why Mattis is leaving? He is not guaranteed the job, and he is not required to stay if he wants to leave.
As to abandoning the Kurds; at what point do we start making other nations responsible for their own safety and security? I don’t advocate doing what Democrats did to the Afghanistans (not providing them the funding and weaponry to continue to fight) but at some point these nations need to stand up for themselves.
The media (all of it, left and right) are going apoplectic over Mattis’ resignation. Only one newscaster mentioned that Obama had FOUR Secretaries of Defense:
Bob Gates – 2 1/2 years
Leon Panetta – 18 months
Chuck Hagel – 24 months
Ash Carter – 23 months
The press didn’t get their Hanes in a wad over the departures of the first three. But now? Armageddon!!!!!!!!
@retire05: Liberals don’t know what they support until they are told.
@retire05: The kurds should be given their country back there is no Kurdistan https://thekurdishproject.org/kurdistan-map
Treaty of Sevres after the fall of the Ottoman empire their country was no more.
@kitt: Again, a job for the UN, but they won’t offend their Islamic masters.
@retire05:
There you go again calling them out on a another double standard. Shame, shame. If they didn’t have a double standard, they’d have no standard. They are a “free press” in their own minds you know.
@Wordsmith: Notice how Syria and Iran are both problem children? We haven’t had a problem with Saddam Hussein in over 15 years. Imagine if he were still around. These lefties also seem to forget that Obama fired Gen. Mattis as CENTCOM Commander allegedly without even a phone call. These people are frauds.
@another vet: Because BHO fired Mattis does that make it OK for DT to ignore his–and others –counsel and force his RESIGNATION? Stupid and reckless–I have 2 Marine arty friends in Syria—helped blast ISIS from their caliphate–believe their presence in that northern swath of Syria is important–to maintain vigilance.
The desertion of our great ally The Fighting Kurds–indefensible. Trump is apparently bowing to Erdogan’s wishes
You recall I blasted BHO for his redline failure..
This apparently unilateral and hasty decision by CIC is a mistake
@Richard Wheeler:
You seem forget that the Cabinet serves at the pleasure of the President And how did Trump force Mattis’ resignation? Because Mattis didn’t have the final word? Oh, my, like a President has never before not taken the advise of a Cabinet member.
Provide link.
Your opinion, which frankly is not worth squat.
Why don’t you also provide a link showing how you railed on Obama when he, in a disgraceful manner, fired Mattis?
Did you vote for Jim Webb in the California 2016 primaries?
@retire05, #11:
…over a period of 8 years.
Mattis served as head of U.S. Central Command after his nomination by Obama for over 2 1/2 years—longer than Donald Trump has been president. Unlike the current administration, the Obama administration was not a rapidly accelerating game of musical chairs.
@another vet, #16:
There’s no reason to believe Mattis was fired by Obama without the courtesy of being notified in advance. You must be thinking about how Trump treated James Comey.
@Greg: He fired many generals https://www.weeklystandard.com/daniel-halper/obama-fires-top…
@retire05: Believe AV will remember my calling out BHO for not “blasting Assad into the stone age” IMO worst mistake of his presidency
Voted for Bernie in primary–strictly anti HRC-no plan to vote for him for POTUS.
Why don’t you provide the link on Mattis “disgraceful firing” since it’s your
assertion.
You think it OK to leave the Kurds out to dry? Ok with the pullout from Syria and Afghanistan?
I certainly didn’t forget Cabinet serves at the pleasure of the POTUS—He gets pleasure from all the coming and going.
Trump serves at the pleasure of the American people who will get great joy in resoundly voting him out in two years——-or sooner.
e
@Greg:
Mattis will have served for 25 months. Only one Secretary of Defense served longer than that under Obama, Bob Gates.
OK, Dumass, your point is?
When it comes to the Secretary of Defense, it was.
@Richard Wheeler:
Trump is still President and is Commander in Chief. He makes the decisions and he takes responsibility, unlike Obama who never took responsibility for his stupid actions.
@Greg: What is 8 divided by 2?
That’s because the Obama administration never worried about accomplishing anything positive. The media was always there to cover up their failures. Every time corruption was exposed, Obama merely allowed the perpetrators to retire with full benefits. It’s pretty easy to stay in an administration that does not require performance, result or ability.
COUPLE OE THINGS—-At meeting with Dem leaders Trump said he’d OWN the shutdown–now he;s blaming Dems??Reversal
Trump took credit for market rise–example Dow from 19,500 to 29,00O
Will he own the debacle from 29,000 –22,500 and a confirmed BEAR Market after a 9.5 year BULL Market including 8,000-19,500 under Obama?
Bill just read your #24 will DT take responsibility here??
@richard wheeler: How many times during the last admin did the fed raise interest rates? There is no sign of significant inflation no reason to raise the rate was provided.
In the long run I will gain more shares from rolls of dividends I dont lose shares just what they value them at. The price of Twitter and face book that produce nothing are taking a dive. Booting off conservatives means the SJW with no money and most likely only college debt isnt paying off for advertisers.
@richard wheeler: Trump didn’t tell the Fed to raise interest rates 4 times; he doesn’t control the Fed. Schumer has a spending bill that all he needs to do is vote for it. If he chooses to reject in KNOWING Trump’s stance, it’s HIS shut down. Remember when Cruz filibustered because Obama would not rescind the individual mandate and Obama would not sign that funding? Who got blame for that?
@kitt: “I don’t lose shares just what they value them at.” Ten years as a broker–never heard that rationale.–you got great faith.
In hindsight–20/20 I’d advise all to dollar cost average on purchases of stocks you’ve studied and personally believe in the product–say Starbucks or Apple.
I certainly agree that interest rates play a major role in the markets. It’s Trump’s unmitigated hubris that offends so many–this is just one glaring example.I believe this will inevitably bring him down.
“Pride cometh before the fall.”.
@Richard Wheeler:
I didn’t ask AV. I asked you to prove your own claim. You seem to have a knack for trying to drag others into your mud.
There were 12 candidates on the California Democratic primary. Interesting that you chose an old white male Socialist to vote for. Color me not surprised.
“I am told that General Mattis was travelling and in a meeting when an aide passed him a note telling him that the Pentagon had announced his replacement as head of Central Command. It was news to him — he hadn’t received a phone call or a heads-up from anyone at the Pentagon or the White House,” Thomas E. Ricks reports.
And you know that the Kurds are being left to hang out to dry how? The Kurds are hellofa fighters. And you really shouldn’t be blathering on about leaving someone to hang out to dry after what the Democrats did to the Afgans after the Afgans managed to kick Russia out (thanks to Charlie Wilson and Joanne Herring). We are still paying for that little bit of genius on the part of the Democrats.
@retire05: I was responding to AV and you jumped in—as usual—you got nothing better to do? You spend so much time reading my posts I’d think you’d remember that red line assertion, I made more than once, many years ago.
Your opinions and rantings are time consuming, and as you’d say don’t mean squat.
You are still the classic bore. Haven’t changed.
Thomas Ricks “I am told” You call that a source?
@Richard Wheeler:
I know, Wheeler. I’m just one of those hicks in flyover country that you, and your buddy Greggie, have so much disdain for. After all, you left wingers think you have all the answers to all the problems, real and imaginary, right, because how in the world could someone as “common” as me have any? No surprise that you would think someone like me (who clings to G-d and my guns) is a bore. Actually, coming from a left winger like you, I will take that as a compliment.
Then find another blog to bloviate on. You will not be missed.
As to spending time reading your posts, don’t flatter yourself, Bubba. I read almost all the posts here. You’re nothing special. Just another left coast liberal who lives in a state of denial about your own Party. Me thinks in spite of all your braggadocio (Marines, trophy wife, broker, realtor, et al) you’re intimidated by women who stand up to you. Must be rough on you.
@retire05: You still trolling my facebook page o5–That made you a true weirdo
I love strong, smart, attractive COMPASSIONATE woman—which of course would leave you out.
Notice you continually call Greg a hater, psychotic and other derogatory names. You are as crass as they come .
The sad part is you don’t need to be–but you chose to be.
@richard wheeler:
Don’t flatter yourself, Wheeler. You were not all that years ago. Why would I bother now?
Oh, my, did I hit a nerve?
Greggie Gullible IS a hater. And he is full of cr@p. Y’all share common traits.
You want crass? Go shave. You’ll find it in your mirror.
@retire05: You appear to be in some sort of a frenzy tonight o5——–54321
Enough I’m going to the gym then opening a bottle of wine—–have a nice weekend and a joyous Christmas
@Richard Wheeler:
When you were in Vietnam, I was arguing with the protestors who were calling you, and all our soldiers in country, pigs and baby killers. They would hold their little rallies, complete with their tables of Communist propaganda.
For years, I have taken on those who hated you. I can guarantee they all voted Democrat. Now you come along and talk just like they did and you support the very Party those slugs belonged to.
I will not let you get by with your left wing b/s. If you don’t like that, go away. I’m tired of your Manchurian Candidate act.
December 23, 2018 — Trump says Mattis to leave by end of year, announces new acting secretary of defense
You can’t resign as Secretary of Defense, because I replaced you first. Your decades of military experience really didn’t mean much anyway. I’m replacing you early with a career corporate officer from Boeing, one of the nation’s largest defense contractors, who has no military or geopolitical strategy background whatsoever. No doubt he knows what needs to be done in Syria and Afghanistan.
From Defense News: Shanahan poised to rewire the Pentagon with Mattis out
Operationalize, to drive systemic change—which is typical corporate management gobbledygook. Unmatched lethality means the capability to kill more people with greater efficiency than anyone else, which in turn translates to a lot of very expensive new programs, keeping the cash flowing to defense corporations like Boeing. What was it that a traditional republican said about America’s military industrial complex a long time ago? It was a warning, as I recall.
Patrick Shanahan: “Too often we focus on process, or budget, or level of effort.” Well, yeah, we do like to have some oversight on what contractors are doing with the taxpayers’ money—without much success, when you consider the untold billions that go down the drain on a yearly basis. In spite of which, we have evidently focused on process, budget, and level of effort too often.
So, we’ll have another fox guarding the hen house. It makes perfect sense in Trump Land, since foxes clearly have the most interest in the taxpayers’ hens.
@Greg: Of course Obama always had the benefit of losing the worthless garbage he had selected.
Trump supporters can seem to see what’s directly in front of their faces, but that’s a given. What Donald Trump is has always been right in front of their faces. There are none so blind…
@Greg:
Good business practice. Whenever I had an employee that would give me an extended notice of resignation, I handed them two weeks severance pay and said good-by. Employees who know they are leaving rarely do a good job in the short term.
But you’re too stupid to understand that because you’re an idiot.
Trump supporters seem to be fixated on how stupid and idiotic everyone else is. I wonder what a psychologist would say about that? I certainly know what I think the explanation is.
@Greg: It was Trump or Hillary. Hillary proved herself incompetent, made millions selling US influence, sacrificed national security to cover up her influence peddling, is a corrupt liar. Blame yourself for allowing Hillary to simply make herself the candidate. Hillary should not have even been an option. In the view of those concerned with the well-being of the nation, she wasn’t.
Now, Trump is doing a really good job.
@Greg: Like I said the last 40 years has been a disaster, Mattis did not get us out of Afganistan or Syria. We do need someone who can pass an audit, in general not detail as black operations are needed. It just happens to be the job to kill efficiently with as few casualties as possible.
His bio doesnt show him to be terribly under qualified https://dod.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Biography-View/Article/1252116/patrick-shanahan/
There are other Generals that Trump can consult he is CIC.
@Deplorable Me: Lets not forget the czars appointed by the Obama administration. CZARS not secretaries, or heads of departments CZARS 45 of them approach taken by President Obama to circumvent vetting of candidates by the U.S. Senate. Totally outside the constitution that forbids royalty positions.
Some of these czars names pop up in what has been described as a soft coup attempt for the current President https://www.judicialwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Special-Report-President-Obamas-Czars.pdf
@Greg:
Not everyone, Greggie Gullible. Just you. And you seem to insist on proving what an idiot you are on a daily basis.
@kitt: “There are other Generals Trump can consult —he is CIC”
Obviously you don’t know much about Marine Generals Mattis and Kelly and how they are revered by troops in the field—you don’t just replace two men like this–the best that Trump had.
Good news is Trump appears to be negotiating the withdrawal with PM Erdogan with hopeful promise not to attack Kurds and take’up fight against ISIS.
‘
@retire05:
Really? Seems to me you go after anyone who disagrees with you, or who points out the obvious problems with Donald Trump, which around has pretty much become the same transgression.
Trump has just put a career defense contractor with no military experience and no geopolitical expertise in charge of the Department of Defense. This gets the only remaining adult out of the room two months earlier. I imagine Mattis thought he was allowing time to carefully consider his replacement.
@Richard Wheeler:
If Mattis was so revered in the field, that is where he belonged. He agree to serve the President. Apparently that did not work out well. And you don’t get to reach that level of rank without having an ego.
General McArthur made a statement that disagreed with Administration policy and Truman fired McArthur (the best Truman had) without so much blink of an eye.
It is rare that high ranking officers can transition from military to politics. George Washington, U.S. Grant and Dwight Eisenhower are the only three in our history that comes to mind.
Amazing how the left wing press was gritching that Trump had too many generals involved in his cabinet. Now their Hanes are all in a wad.
@Greg:
Perhaps the constant drone of “Trump is a criminal” and “Trump is a liar” becomes tiresome from someone that ardently supports lying criminals. You lack objectivity.
Again, the opinion of Trump’s appointees by someone that viewed Obama and Hillary as capable is minor.
@retire05:
Seems they don’t realize how brilliant Trump was until he makes a change.
@Greg:
I will debate the propaganda any left winger blathers. It is only you I view as an idiot.
And the military experience of Bob Gates and Ash Carter was?
You remain an idiot.
@Richard Wheeler: Interesting that you don’t mention why Mattis was/is not still on active duty. Your buddy Obozo basically fired him because he (Obozo) considered him a war monger. Apparently he wanted Trump to do as he said in regards to pulling out of Syria, when that would have been a violation of Trump’s stated ambitions to get the troops out once ISIS was defeated there/or at least was in a manageable situation with regards to our Allies in the area. So, Obozo fired him, what did you say about Mattis then. Was it just a song and dance then because you couldn’t disagree with your buddy? Footnote: Obozo fired Mattis, he resigned from his post with Trump.