Trump takes parting shot at Mattis and his view of US allies

US President Donald Trump on Monday criticised departing Defense Secretary James Mattis and his view of alliances, saying the Pentagon chief failed to recognise the true costs of America's military support around the world.

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تاریخ: ۰۴ دی ۱۳۹۷ - ۰۸:۵۰

A day after Trump announced he would replace Mattis two months earlier than expected, the president took a parting shot at the Pentagon chief, who resigned last week over policy differences with Trump.

"We are substantially subsidizing the Militaries of many VERY rich countries all over the world, while at the same time these countries take total advantage of the U.S., and our TAXPAYERS, on Trade," Trump wrote in a series of tweets.

....We are substantially subsidizing the Militaries of many VERY rich countries all over the world, while at the same time these countries take total advantage of the U.S., and our TAXPAYERS, on Trade. General Mattis did not see this as a problem. I DO, and it is being fixed!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2018

"General Mattis did not see this as a problem. I DO, and it is being fixed!" he wrote.

Administration officials said Trump was annoyed by Mattis' resignation letter, which included an implicit criticism of Trump's disregard for allies.

Despite the falling out, the Pentagon said on Monday that Mattis authorised Trump's withdrawal of US forces from Syria, one of the decisions that helped trigger his resignation.

The exit of Mattis, highly regarded by Republicans and Democrats alike, added to concerns over what many see as Trump's unpredictable, go-it-alone approach to global security.

"To those few Senators who think I don't like or appreciate being allied with other countries, they are wrong, I DO," Trump also tweeted.

"What I don't like, however, is when many of these same countries take advantage of their friendship with the United States."

To those few Senators who think I don’t like or appreciate being allied with other countries, they are wrong, I DO. What I don’t like, however, is when many of these same countries take advantage of their friendship with the United States, both in Military Protection and Trade...

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2018

"AMERICA IS RESPECTED AGAIN!" Trump added.

AMERICA IS RESPECTED AGAIN!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2018

Mattis has been seen in Europe as firmly committed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military alliance, while Trump warned European allies that the United States could withdraw its support unless they boost defense spending.

Trump also tweeted on Monday that Saudi Arabia had agreed "to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States."

Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States. See? Isn’t it nice when immensely wealthy countries help rebuild their neighbors rather than a Great Country, the U.S., that is 5000 miles away. Thanks to Saudi A!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2018

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was referring to new funding from Saudi Arabia, which has already pledged money to cover costs for the next two years of stabilising areas of Syria retaken from the Islamic State militant group.

The State Department was not immediately available for comment due to the partial US government shutdown.

Trump made the decision last week to withdraw US forces from Syria and pull out about half of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan, against the advice of his top aides and US commanders. The move brought withering criticism from fellow Republicans, Democrats and international allies.

Defense officials have cautioned against a timeline, but the withdrawal could begin in weeks. A senior official said a specific plan was being worked out.

Mattis' abrupt resignation sparked concern among allies, who credit the retired Marine general with building trust and tempering isolationist impulses.

In his resignation letter, Mattis had said he would step down at the end of February to allow for a successor to be confirmed and to attend congressional hearings and a key NATO meeting.

But Trump Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan will now take over on an acting basis beginning January 1.