Both Leading Candidates to Replace Mattis are Maximum War Hawks

While “Mad Dog” Mattis was by no means a “hero,” it is almost a given that his replacement will be far more pro-war and pro-intervention than the outgoing secretary of defense.

Whitney Webb
By Whitney Webb
Pictured left to right, General John Keane, General Jim Mattis and Senator Tom Cotton.  Photos | Associated Press | MintPress News.

WASHINGTON -- On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced via Twitter that Secretary of Defense James “Mad Dog” Mattis would be “retiring” in February and that a replacement for Mattis would soon be named. Mattis’ departure had been the subject of speculation since late June, when it was reported that Mattis was already being kept out of the loop

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Trump “Actively Discussing” Mattis Replacement, Looking for Cooperative Iran Hawk

Mattis is the last remaining high-ranking member of the Trump cabinet who has publicly opposed the President’s Iran policy, particularly the U.S.’ unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal.

Whitney Webb
By Whitney Webb
U.S. Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis at the Pentagon, Wash. DC., Aug. 23, 2018. DoD | Angelita Lawrence

WASHINGTON -- Media reports emerged this week that suggest that U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis may soon find himself out of a job, as President Donald Trump and his closest advisors are now “actively” discussing possible candidates to replace the Pentagon chief. Back in late June, MintPress News reported on related concerns that Mattis

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Is Mattis Next on Chopping Block for Questioning the “Adelson Agenda”?

Like Rex Tillerson and H.R. McMaster before him, administration officials are warning that Secretary of Defense James Mattis has fallen out of favor with the President for opposing key parts of his Sheldon Adelson-directed Middle East policy.

Whitney Webb
By Whitney Webb

WASHINGTON – Like Rex Tillerson and H.R. McMaster before him, Secretary of Defense James Mattis – one of the longest-serving members of the Trump cabinet – may soon be out of a job. Just as was the case for the former secretary of state and the former national security adviser, media reports are now asserting that Mattis has been shut out of major

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Trump’s Massive War Power Giveaway

The U.S. military under Trump is quickly morphing into judge, jury and executioner of any enemy they see fit and are, as recent events suggest, free to attack them in anyway they choose.

Whitney Webb
By Whitney Webb
Donald Trump military spending

Last year, as Trump’s front-runner status in the Republican primaries began to truly unnerve the conservative establishment, several figures emerged as possible “fail-safes” to the increasing inevitability of a Trump-Clinton showdown. One of these figures was former four-star general James Mattis, now Secretary of Defense, who was courted by “an

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Hagel Warns Pakistan Leaders Over Border Protests

U.S. may pull millions of dollars in aid to Pakistan if leaders can’t resolve anti-drone protests along Afghanistan border.

Associated Press
By Associated Press

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Pakistani leaders Monday that if they don't resolve protests stalling some military shipments across the border with Afghanistan, it could be difficult to maintain political support in Washington for an aid program that has sent billions of dollars to Islamabad, defense officials

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