The Syrian regime should think long and hard before it again acts so recklessly in violation of international law against the use of chemical weapons.

James Mattis

Categorized in : Top News

We're sorting out obviously a period with some tension there, trade tension and all, so we'll get to the bottom of it but I don't think that we're seeing a fundamental shift in anything, we're just going through one of those periodic points where we got to learn to manage our differences.

He aims to diminish the appeal of the Western democratic model and attempts to undermine America's moral authority. His actions are designed not to challenge our arms at this point but to undercut and compromise our belief in our ideals.

Obviously, we are at the very front end of the process, the detailed negotiations have not begun, i wouldn't expect that at this point.

For the first time since World War II, Russia has been the nation that has redrawn international borders by force in Georgia and Ukraine while pursuing veto authority over their neighbors' diplomatic, economic and security decisions, president Putin seeks to shatter NATO. President Putin aims to diminish the appeal of the Western democratic model and attempts to undermine America's moral authority, President Putin actions are designed not to challenge our arms at this point but to undercut and compromise our belief in our ideals.

We are also going to confront what we believe is out of step with international law, out of step with international tribunals that have spoken on the issue, and part of this is we maintain a very transparent military activity out in the Pacific.

We have got some -- possibly some good news on the North Korea summit, where it may, if our diplomats can pull it off, may have it back on, even.

Our problem with Iran is not with the Iranian people. It is with the regime. But I would let Mr. John Bolton and Mr. Giuliani speak for Rudy Giuliani.

This took us over a year as we dealt with it on the inter-agency... you saw it was not a hasty decision immediately after inauguration and I can assure you that the chairman and I were given full hearing.

I hope this time the Assad regime got the message. by James Mattis

I hope this time the Assad regime got the message.

We are very much aware of one of the agents. There may have been more than one agent used. We are not clear on that yet. We know at least one chemical agent was used.

We are trying to stop the murder of innocent people. But on a strategic level, it's how do we keep this from escalating out of control, if you get my drift on that.

I think we are all aware in this country of the president's affection and respect for the military, we have been putting together some options. We'll send them up to the White House for a decision. Since the idea was first made public Tuesday, the D.C. council has mocked the idea in several tweets, including one with an image of fake road signing prohibiting military tanks.No Republicans serve on the council.

It went higher, frankly, thanany previous shot they've taken. by James Mattis

It went higher, frankly, thanany previous shot they've taken.

You're a great example for our country right now, and it's got some problems. You know it, and I know it. It's got problems we don't have in the military. And you just hold the line, my fine soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines.

We believe they moved into that zone against the advice of the Ru... by James Mattis

We believe they moved into that zone against the advice of the Russians.

The foreign fighters are the strategic threat should they return home to Tunis, to Kuala Lumpur, to Paris, to Detroit, wherever.

There has been no change to our rules of engagement, and there has been no change to our continued extraordinary efforts to avoid innocent civilian casualties.

We've been conducting military and diplomatic dialogues with the Turks and it was a very, very useful discussion today.

As far as the release of the American citizen, she was found innocent in the Egyptian courts, and appropriately she is returned home, we were happy to hear she was found innocent.

When you're in a conflict situation, you have got to leave initiative in the hands -- delegate initiative to those that you consider competent to do so to carry out the authorities that you're giving them.