Jim Mattis. FILE IMAGE: AP
US Secretary of Defense James Mattis believes that Russia and “the nuclear threat” are now key challenges for the United States. He also pointed out tensions with China, but noted that this is a political issue, which can be solved.
“There’s also other challenges out there as well, but in terms of urgency, I’d say North Korea. In terms of power right now, it is probably Russia and the nuclear threat. And in terms of long-term political will, it’s China.
But China does not have to be a threat. We can find a way to work together with China. We’re two nuclear-armed superpowers and we’re going to have to learn how to manage our relationship, and I do believe we can do that,” Mattis stated during a speech to cadets at Virginia Military Institute on September 25.
Mattis’ statement once again shows an aproach employed by the Washington establishment employed towards modern Russia. While the US cotninues claiming that Russia is the responsible for the tensions, in fact the US political leadership are contributing to the further escalation of this conflict.
