Allies from the Kurdish zone in Syria to Australia are left questioning US credibility, the Japanese/South Korea bulwark in Northeast Asia is rapidly imploding and Vladimir Putin is applauding as US President Donald Trump pulled out of Syria and lost one of his most respected cabinet members in quick succession.
On December 20, US Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, a former US Marine general, announced that he was leaving Trump’s cabinet. The resignation will take effect in late February. The move had not been unexpected, but differences of opinion on strategic issues and approaches appear to have left Mattis with no other option.
“Our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships,” said Mattis in his two-page resignation letter. He made clear that the negative and often personal attacks on the leaders of allied nations by Trump, and the detrimental impact had on key alliances which had stood firm for decades, was unacceptable.
The straw that broke the camel’s back appears to have been Trump’s surprise announcement to pull the 2,200 US troops in Syria out. Mattis announced his resignation the day after Trump made that announcement. The US vacuum leaves the Kurds – staunch allies of the US in the fight against ISIS – to a very uncertain fate.
“The resignation has been building over policy differences and the immediate reason was the announcement to pullout from Syria,” Professor of National Security Affairs and Director of the Asia-Pacific Studies Group Terry Roehrig at the US Naval War College, told Asia Times. “Turkey has warned of military operations against the Kurds in Syria and soon after Trump’s announcement to pull out, the Turkish Defense Minister said the Kurdish fighters would, ‘be buried in the ditches they dug.’”
Fear and loathing
Pundits are aghast. “This is yet another reason not to depend on the US under an erratic Trump who delights in pulling the rug out from under friends and allies,” seethed Jeff Kingston, Director of Asian Studies at Temple University Japan in Tokyo.
“Mattis was a source of rationality, strategic thinking, and responsibility to US troops, allies and friends, something that the impulsive, unstructured, and irresponsible president lacks,” added Professor William Brooks of the Johns Hopkins University’s School for Advanced International Studies in Washington DC.
With Chief of Staff John Kelly’s and now Mattis’s departures, Trump is “free of advisers who seek to contain and control his isolationist bent and chaos-sowing decisions,” said Brooks. “The decisions to pull US troops out of Syria, and reportedly out of Afghanistan next, are politically motivated, based on campaign promises to his political base, and have no relation to US national strategic interests,” Brooks said.
“Foreign policy is whatever the president is angry about,” Professor Tom Nichols, an expert on foreign policy and national security affairs at the US Naval War College, told a US audience during a live MSNBC TV “Morning Joe” interview on December 21,
Even the staid Wall Street Journal was taken aback by the way in which Trump abruptly changed the landscape in the Middle East without consulting senior US military officers.
“The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Joseph Dunford, is widely reported to have not been consulted” on the Syrian pullout,” the WSJ editorialized. “Withdrawing those 2,000 American[ troops from the Middle East is a significant act for which allies in the region and elsewhere needed a decent interval to prepare. Mr. Trump gave them none. The decision, which emerged after Mr. Trump’s phone call with Turkish dictator Recep Tayyip Erdogan, did earn public praise from one big beneficiary – Russia’s Vladimir Putin.”
Key allies are now faced with the possibility of more gyrations and unpredictable course corrections.
Asian implications
Japan and South Korea – the two Northeast Asian democracies that Washington would like to see tightly aligned against China and North Korea, but which are frequently at diplomatic loggerheads over historical issues – need a firm hand at the US helm.
Amid multiple diplomatic and legal divisions, an extremely dangerous incident took place on Friday, when a South Korean destroyer commander in the Sea of Japan locked his vessel’s target acquisition radar onto a Japanese patrol aircraft operating in the same area, sparking a protest from Tokyo.
The incident happened just a few hours after Mattis presented his letter of resignation.
“Mattis brought order, stability, and a clear-eyed appreciation of the importance of US allies in the region,” Roehrig said. “Alliances are not about US charity; they are essential to advancing US interests and maintaining global peace and stability.”
Although nicknamed “Mad Dog,” the ex-general had been a voice of prudence and a restraint on Trump – who, prior to this year’s surprise rapprochement with North Korea, had been shaping up for a fight with the nuclear-armed state.
“Mattis understood the disaster of using military force against North Korea during the days of ‘fire and fury,’” said Roehrig. “He acted as a brake to ensure that the dangers and risks were clearly understood.”
The decision to withdraw from Syria, along with the departure of Mattis, is spreading immediate ripples across the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy that the US, Japan, and Australia have been pursuing.
An Australian MP quickly called attention to how unreliable the US had become, suggesting Canberra needs to adopt new measures which guaranteed its security.
“Trump will remain preoccupied with North Korea and China, trying to restart the stalled negotiations with Pyongyang, and playing trade and corporate espionage hardball with China,” said Brooks. “Hopefully, the new Pentagon chief will not upset the status quo with America’s allies in the region and pay lip-service at least to what Mattis had laid down as the foundation for the Indo-Pacific Strategy.”
According to Brooks, there are real regional risks in Trump’s impetuosity.
He could decide to withdraw troops from South Korea to win concessions from North Korea, or cut US forces in Japan, as a cost cutting measure. “Under Trump’s isolationist ‘America First’ policy, optimistic scenarios for either the Middle East or East Asia seem nowhere in sight,” Brooks added.
Who’s next in firing line?
Brooks worries that “only a flunky will likely now offer to take the thankless jobs” that Kelly and Mattis vacated. He warned of the dangers of Trump picking as his new Pentagon chief “…a loyalist lacking the qualities that distinguished Mattis in an administration of lackeys and political hacks.”
“Who would want to [take the position]?” asked Kingston. “This is a nightmare carnival show and people of integrity won’t want to be complicit.”
Currently there is global unease about the ultra-hardline stance taken by National Security Advisor John Bolton. Concerns also hover over the the independence of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, seen in some quarters as a “yes man” for Trump.
Neither Brooks nor Roehrig would hazard a guess on Mattis’s replacement. A list of top prospects emerged months ago and has remained relatively unchanged.
Retired US Army General Jack Keane, a frequent national security commentator on Fox News, was once top of the list, but has said openly that he has no plans to return to public service.
Others include US Senators Tom Cotton and hardline Trump supporter Lindsey Graham, as well as US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats. Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan also seems to have been elevated of late in terms of his possible selection for the post.
At heart, Trump is an isolationist, which is good for the rest of the world. Only the warmongers around him have prevented Trump bringing back home most of US troops abroad.
At heart, Trump is an isolationist, which is good for the rest of the world. Only the warmongers around him have prevented Trump bringing back home most of US troops abroad.
To be honest: with China’s rise in military spending and catching up in technology and Russia’s new hypersonic toys, any protection the USA promised to its allied in Eurasia have become effectivelly psychological.
The Eurasian countries should abandon the USA and unite — that’s the best option for their peoples.
To be honest: with China’s rise in military spending and catching up in technology and Russia’s new hypersonic toys, any protection the USA promised to its allied in Eurasia have become effectivelly psychological.
The Eurasian countries should abandon the USA and unite — that’s the best option for their peoples.
Nothing is permanent. The US does not have the energy and resources to keep it up. Something has to give. Up to now all the friends and allies have content themselves to playing a minor role in their own securities with the US doing the heavy lifting. The Lybian outing exposed the defects of the western alliance. They just don’t have it. Trump is right in this aspect. Country has to be responsible for its own security. The US role is to make sure it doesn’t get out of control.
Nothing is permanent. The US does not have the energy and resources to keep it up. Something has to give. Up to now all the friends and allies have content themselves to playing a minor role in their own securities with the US doing the heavy lifting. The Lybian outing exposed the defects of the western alliance. They just don’t have it. Trump is right in this aspect. Country has to be responsible for its own security. The US role is to make sure it doesn’t get out of control.
All the disenchanted US vassals nagging rhetoric aside, isn’t it about time that the fake media stops presenting the Kurds as some mythical anti-ISIS force? There is strong evidence the Kurds part took in this ISIS creating and sustaining debacle. Playing mercenary to the US, Saudi and Israeli machinations has left the Kurds exactly where they’ve always found themselves…….in the middle of no where.
All the disenchanted US vassals nagging rhetoric aside, isn’t it about time that the fake media stops presenting the Kurds as some mythical anti-ISIS force? There is strong evidence the Kurds part took in this ISIS creating and sustaining debacle. Playing mercenary to the US, Saudi and Israeli machinations has left the Kurds exactly where they’ve always found themselves…….in the middle of no where.
if the US actions in Syria,Iraq and Afghanistan have represented ‘stability and credibilty’ then certainly it is time for a new path. If our allies Japan and South Korea still need the USA’s stronghand to prevent conflict with one another this also represents a US policy failure.
if the US actions in Syria,Iraq and Afghanistan have represented ‘stability and credibilty’ then certainly it is time for a new path. If our allies Japan and South Korea still need the USA’s stronghand to prevent conflict with one another this also represents a US policy failure.
The US program has been to create a sort of Kosovo-on-the-Euphrates with the Kurds serving as a front. Turkey absolutely will not allow it and threatens war. All the armchair strategists need to deal with this reality. As to the Kurds, they have been and are in negotiations with the government around various questions, and a deal will be worked out in the drafting of a new constitution under the auspices of Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
As for Asia, Asia does not need the US. Asians are perfectly capable of dealing with their own affairs as the creation of various bilateral and multilateral prove.
The US program has been to create a sort of Kosovo-on-the-Euphrates with the Kurds serving as a front. Turkey absolutely will not allow it and threatens war. All the armchair strategists need to deal with this reality. As to the Kurds, they have been and are in negotiations with the government around various questions, and a deal will be worked out in the drafting of a new constitution under the auspices of Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
As for Asia, Asia does not need the US. Asians are perfectly capable of dealing with their own affairs as the creation of various bilateral and multilateral prove.
US credibility? That’s an oxymoron to the informed observers.
Syria is a sovereign state. On what legal ground is the US military operating on Syrian soil without consent?
These clowns of the propaganda enterprise don’t even bother with the basics anymore.
US credibility? That’s an oxymoron to the informed observers.
Syria is a sovereign state. On what legal ground is the US military operating on Syrian soil without consent?
These clowns of the propaganda enterprise don’t even bother with the basics anymore.
Love the article as always. Asia Times is definitely my favorite news source. With that said, you need to be more careful with your redaction. Half way through this article I’ve spotted at leat 3 type-o’s or whatever. Please watch out for these. I’ve seen this mild carelessness before in your publications. I’m not trying to be harsh, it’s just an honest observation. Like I said, I am a Huuuuuuge fan!
Love the article as always. Asia Times is definitely my favorite news source. With that said, you need to be more careful with your redaction. Half way through this article I’ve spotted at leat 3 type-o’s or whatever. Please watch out for these. I’ve seen this mild carelessness before in your publications. I’m not trying to be harsh, it’s just an honest observation. Like I said, I am a Huuuuuuge fan!
Endless wars is the mantra of military men like Mattis and his ilk. Thank God, Trump was smart enough to pull the plug on Syria——-let us HOPE that Afghanistan is next——-wouldn’t it be nice if we could pull out of NATO also!!
Endless wars is the mantra of military men like Mattis and his ilk. Thank God, Trump was smart enough to pull the plug on Syria——-let us HOPE that Afghanistan is next——-wouldn’t it be nice if we could pull out of NATO also!!
The best advice i could give the west or President Trump if he would listen, would be to read THE ASIAN MIND GAME by CHIN-NING CHU, before having any dealings with Asia or China in particular.
The best advice i could give the west or President Trump if he would listen, would be to read THE ASIAN MIND GAME by CHIN-NING CHU, before having any dealings with Asia or China in particular.
Anyone with basic knowledge in accounting can see the US can not afford to protect "western interests" in Asia. Most Asian countries is feed up with US interference in Asian politics, sanctions, bullying, regime changes, and wars.
Anyone with basic knowledge in accounting can see the US can not afford to protect "western interests" in Asia. Most Asian countries is feed up with US interference in Asian politics, sanctions, bullying, regime changes, and wars.
I appreciate Donald Trump to stop unnecessary wars and leave the nations at peace. The legacy of Senior Bush to wage wars, and the false notion that USA is vulnerable, must be abondoned. Let the nations resolve their own affairs thyself.
I appreciate Donald Trump to stop unnecessary wars and leave the nations at peace. The legacy of Senior Bush to wage wars, and the false notion that USA is vulnerable, must be abondoned. Let the nations resolve their own affairs thyself.
Trump is a non-interventionist which is even BETTER for the world. We can trade, we can dialogue and have exchanges.
An Isolationist wants none of those things, they turn completely inward. Trump wants trade, LOTS of it.
He wants migration, just controlled.
Trump is a non-interventionist which is even BETTER for the world. We can trade, we can dialogue and have exchanges.
An Isolationist wants none of those things, they turn completely inward. Trump wants trade, LOTS of it.
He wants migration, just controlled.
The people consulted in the article are pathetic warmongers or neo-cons.
Trumps moves are GOOD ones.
Screw the Kurds, they need to get back under the sway of Damascus.
They will never have a country and it’s too bad, yet they need to take the deal of limited autonomy offered and give peace a chance.
The Turks are our NATO partner we must hold them in higher regard than the Kurds.
There are no two ways about it.
Syria and Afghanistan are bottomless pits with no end in sight where thousands of people needn’t have died.
These are places where young Americans have sacrificed needlessly to advance someone’s bottom line.
Trump’s base are the American people and we want no more war.
The wishes of the American people are paramount and no stupid deluded professor in some air conditioned University in God knows where should dictate foreign policy or belittle what the CnC has stated if it promotes PEACE.
Nuff said.
The people consulted in the article are pathetic warmongers or neo-cons.
Trumps moves are GOOD ones.
Screw the Kurds, they need to get back under the sway of Damascus.
They will never have a country and it’s too bad, yet they need to take the deal of limited autonomy offered and give peace a chance.
The Turks are our NATO partner we must hold them in higher regard than the Kurds.
There are no two ways about it.
Syria and Afghanistan are bottomless pits with no end in sight where thousands of people needn’t have died.
These are places where young Americans have sacrificed needlessly to advance someone’s bottom line.
Trump’s base are the American people and we want no more war.
The wishes of the American people are paramount and no stupid deluded professor in some air conditioned University in God knows where should dictate foreign policy or belittle what the CnC has stated if it promotes PEACE.
Nuff said.
It is high time to pull the plug on Israel
It is high time to pull the plug on Israel
Other than the 5 eyes clan,the rest are occupied countries.
Other than the 5 eyes clan,the rest are occupied countries.
Yes. Some Asian allies might break free from US freedom leash because of trump’s negligence and incompetence.
Yes. Some Asian allies might break free from US freedom leash because of trump’s negligence and incompetence.