Friday, February 3, 2017

Reuters — Mattis says no need for dramatic U.S. military moves in South China Sea

Mattis suggested that major military action was not being currently considered.
"What we have to do is exhaust all efforts, diplomatic efforts, to try to resolve this properly, maintaining open lines of communication," Mattis said, in his most complete remarks on the issue to date.
"And certainly our military stance should be one that reinforces our diplomats in this regard. But there is no need right now at this time for military maneuvers or something like that, that would solve something that’s best solved by the diplomats."
Welcome change from Ash Carter.

Reuters
Mattis says no need for dramatic U.S. military moves in South China Sea

3 comments:

John said...

This is the tired military sleight of hand that's routinely trotted out before a further escalation. Like the talk left but walk right pantomime that is progressive politics, the standard operating procedure for Washington is to talk peace and tearfully intone that "we will strain every sinew" and other meaningless drivel while moving troops and equipment.

Penguin pop said...

Talk is cheap. Trump is a hothead and he put a bunch of other hotheads in his staff.

lastgreek said...

.... And the news that Elliott Abrams will occupy the second most important position in the US Department of State mean that power will return to neoconservatives in the State Department.  I have not been impressed with the power exercise by Tillerson at all.  He does not strike me as the type who will win bureaucratic battles, not even against Flynn or Bannon.

http://angryarab.blogspot.ca/2017/02/the-new-trump-team-and-middle-east.html

Interesting read, but paragraphs would have been nice :)