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.

James Mattis

Categorized in : Politics

The intent was to stop the cycle of violence into an area that even in World War II chemical weapons were not used on battlefields, even in the Korean War, they were not used on battlefields. Since World War I, there has been an international convention on this and to stand idly by when the convention is violated -- that is what we had to take action on recently in our own vital interest.

I have personally reviewed the intelligence and there is no doubt The Syrian regime is responsible for the decision to attack and for the attack The Syrian regime.

Our priority remains the defeat of ISIS. by James Mattis

Our priority remains the defeat of ISIS.

We met over several days and I spoke with some of our allies, the National Security Council considered the near century-old international prohibition against the use of chemical weapons. Defense Secretary James Mattis maintains The Syrian regime repeatedly and deliberately violated the international law. The Pentagon says the response was a retaliatory strike for Assad’s chemical attack on innocent civilians including children.

We look to engaging with Russia on a political or diplomatic level, but right now, Russia is choosing to be a strategic competitor.

Lack of respect for the dignity and humanity of fellow members of the Department of Defense is unacceptable and counter to unit cohesion, we will not excuse or tolerate such behavior if we are to uphold our values and maintain our ability to defeat the enemy on the battlefield.