Somewhat louder-than-normal freakout over Trump and Mattis departure. A few thoughts. First, the willingness of leaders like Mattis and Kelly to serve in this administration has been a great service to the country. Thank them. 1/5
Second, it is not exactly unprecedented for a SecDef to leave, over policy differences or otherwise. Mattis served longer than any of Barack Obama's last *three* SecDefs, Panetta, Hagel, Carter. 2/5
Third, what's happening is the president is asserting himself and his view of the world, which is the view he campaigned and won election on. He is asking questions for which the national security establishment does not have clear, indisputable answers. 3/5
For example, beyond the Trump pledge to 'knock the hell out of ISIS,' what is the US goal in Syria? How do our 2k troops there bring that about? And in Afghanistan, what will continued involvement accomplish that we have not been able to accomplish in the last *17* years? 4/5
So beyond the freakout, Trump is asking questions that, most likely, many Americans ask about these military commitments. Will be interesting to see what public thinks on the Syria, Afghanistan issues. 5/5 End.
