Chaos in the building #MattisUSIP 
Mattis goes right into how he sees Chinese and Russian foreign policy (US competitors in 2018 NDS)
• China “seems to want ... tribute states around it”
• Russia seeks security by creating “insecurity around other nations”
• China “seems to want ... tribute states around it”
• Russia seeks security by creating “insecurity around other nations”
Mattis characterizes NATO as “getting stronger”
Mattis says getting peace process on track in Yemen is “foremost” on Middle East checklist, followed by Syria, and adds that US and Russia are on “the same sheet of music” in regards to stalled UN Geneva peace process
Mattis used this talking point in September after John Bolton called Russia’s placement of an S-300 system in Syria a “significant escalation” of that conflict
Mattis says US has been dealing with terror since 1979, “will have to deal with it in a military and police manner,” adds that unilateral approach to CT only “builds antibodies”
DOD transferred $20 million to State today to State’s Global Engagement center, which is charged with fighting terror online
Mattis says US “pulled the training wheels off too early” for Afghan troops before 2017 South Asia Strategy, adds that NATO airpower “changes the tactical situation”
Mattis says it’s “heartbreaking to accept that progress and violence can be going on at the same time” but hints that US troop presence (~14,000 troops) is necessary to prevent another 9/11-like attack on the homeland
Trump “challenged every assumption” of US strategy in Afghanistan ahead of 2017 revamp, Mattis says
Mattis on Syria: “This is a tragedy that has grown beyond my ability to articulate it. I have never seen refugees ... as traumatized as coming out of Syria.” Adds that Assad will have to be “managed out of power” and wouldn’t have survived without Russian and Iranian intervention
Mattis says Trump strategy to beat ISIS “changed tactics from attrition warfare” to surrounding cities like Tabqa and Mosul. “Surround it first, then move against it.”
Mattis says Putin has impeded UN-backed Geneva peace process in Syria: “Russia’s best efforts to divert it ... have not produced anything worthwhile.” Left unsaid: UN envoy Staffan De Mistura is on the way out.
Mattis hits out at Tehran for influencing Iraq and Syria with troops, money, and materiel: “This is not a contest for the Iranian people. This is a senseless war for the Iranian people.”
The US also slashed nearly $200 million in stabilization aid to Syria this year, hoping Saudi Arabia and others would backfill the money
Mattis calls for U.N. peace talks in Geneva based on
• Demilitarized border with Saudi (stopping missile barrages)
• Putting Iranian missiles provided to Houthis under international watch
• “Local autonomy” for Yemenis
... so, a federalized approach?
• Demilitarized border with Saudi (stopping missile barrages)
• Putting Iranian missiles provided to Houthis under international watch
• “Local autonomy” for Yemenis
... so, a federalized approach?
Through “denial and deceit” Russia has violated INF treaty, Mattis said. “We have done everything we can diplomatically.”
Worth noting that DOD has completed the long-delayed Missile Defense Review, but hasn’t released it. Nuclear Posture Review came out early this year.
Mattis on Trump: “His views on nuclear weapons are pretty well known. He hates them.”
Cyber Command’s number one mission is protecting election infrastructure, Mattis says, followed by dulling influence campaigns
Mattis says Space Command budget request to Congress will be targeting capabilities, but doesn’t elaborate on what those will be.
Mattis responds to @AlMonitor question: “I’d say the murder of Khashoggi, I’d separate it out from the Yemen situation. We will get to the bottom of it.” Says no nation is in control of the information.
Mattis says US support to Saudi Arabia and UAE in Yemen is limited: “we refuel less than 20 percent of their aircraft. They have their own refuelers by the way.”
Mattis says US refueling support of Saudi and UAE jets “provide a level of capability so they are not killing innocent people.” Hints that the US is looking for a ceasefire in 30 days to accelerate the peace process in Yemen. “I believe that the Saudis and the Emirates are ready”
Mattis said a large part of US support to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen is to help set up no-fire zones that protect civilian areas
This comes as @UNReliefChief said last week that 14 million Yemenis - half the country - will be dependent upon aid to survive “very soon”
First mention of “lethal”
*drink*
And the DoD audit!
*drink*
*drink*
And the DoD audit!
*drink*
