New Pentagon chief praises NATO

washington - The new US Secretary of Defense James Mattis Thursday of the US commitment put in the foreground with NATO. The retired general praised during the hearing of new cabinet members in the Senate the military alliance as the most successful in modern history. 'My opinion is that countries have successfully allies, countries not without allies.'

Mattis, nicknamed 'Mad Dog,' warned Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to drive a wedge between NATO. The US government, according to the incoming chief of the Pentagon strengthen the alliance against Russia and are willing to take both diplomatic and military deterrence measures. In the past, there are many attempts to improve relations with Moscow, but that's not really succeeded.

Mattis hit a somewhat different tone than his boss Donald Trump. The president-elect said during the election campaign to come to the aid include the NATO obligation States where appropriate discussion and wants the Americans not let foot the bill. Trump is also impressed by the shrewdness of Putin wants to restore the relationship with Russia, though he also sees it the danger of Russian cyber-attacks.

Mattis expressed confidence in US intelligence. He showed himself in the Senate in favor of an 'integrated strategy to defeat Islamic State. The reconquest of the Syrian IS stronghold Raqqa deserves review and should in his opinion a bit more aggressive.