US
Defense Secretary, James Mattis announced on Thursday that he would
resign at the end of February, sending a letter to President Trump
saying he deserved a secretary "whose views are better aligned with
yours." The announcement came a day after the White House said the
U.S. would be withdrawing its troops from Syria, as well as reports it
was also considering a drawdown in Afghanistan. Both moves have been met
with opposition by Pentagon officials and members of the foreign policy
establishment. In a striking resignation letter to Trump, Mattis
signaled his concern with the way Trump treated allies in NATO as well
as rivals such as China and Russia. He wrote that his “core belief” is
that U.S. strength is “inextricably linked with the strength of our
unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships.My views
on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both
malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed
by over four decades of immersion in these issues. We must do everything
possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to
our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this
effort by the solidarity of our alliances.Because you have a right to
have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on
these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down
from my position," Mattis wrote. The letter did not mention Trump and
did not include statements typically found in resignation letters about
it having been an honor to serve the president. It was addressed "Dear
Mr. President," and concluded with a line about how it had been an honor
to serve the nation and "our men and women in uniform." 
