Jim Mattis throws in the towel. A strategic differential with Donald Trump
(B2) One could say to oneself, it is one more resignation in the entourage of Donald Trump, the American president. The departure of Jim Mattis, from his post of Secretary (Minister) of Defence, announced on Thursday (December 20), is not insignificant
The former Marine leader endured everything under Donald Trump: his casual way of treating NATO as his insults to the most loyal allies, his attempts at direct dialogue with Putin which ended in rout, his lack of respect for certain veterans or families of the dead in operation, its procrastination in the operations.... The decided departure from Syria, abandoning the Kurdish and Arab allies to their fate, facing Turkey as facing Daesh, was undoubtedly the straw that made overflow the vase.
Treat allies with respect
In letter of December 20, revealed by several American media, and obtained by B2, the minister does not hide this difference of vision: “ My vision [is] to treat allies with respect and also to have our eyes open to our strategic competitors and smart players. […] We must do all we can to move towards an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values. And we must strengthen our effort through the solidarity of our alliances”. But you have the right to have a minister who better shares your views »
Two months notice
However, he does not slam the door, as a French minister might do, overnight. He leaves a deadline sufficient “, until February 28, 2019, to Donald Trump to find him a successor… This one will have to deal with a Senate where he has a lot to do not only with the Democratic opposition, but also certain elected Republican critics of his foreign policy, as shown by the denial of military assistance to Saudi Arabia.
(NGV)
