US defence chief Mattis has ‘no reservations’ about Bolton
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said 27 March he had ‘no reservations’ about working with John Bolton, the controversial hawk named by President Donald Trump to be his new national security advisor.
‘Last time I checked he’s an American. I can work with an American,’ Mattis told reporters.
The retired Marine general said he had never met Bolton before, but expected to get together with him soon at the Pentagon.
A former US ambassador to the United Nations and Fox News contributor, Bolton is known for his vehement opposition to the Iran nuclear deal and defence of a US first strike against North Korea.
Mattis has stressed diplomacy in dealing with both countries and has argued against scrapping the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.
Asked whether he could work with Bolton, Mattis said he had ‘no reservations, no concerns at all’.
Mattis added: ‘I hope that there’s some different world views, that’s the normal thing you want unless you want group think.’
More from Defence Notes
-
![US, Canada advance with over-the-horizon radar programmes to close NORAD surveillance gaps]()
US, Canada advance with over-the-horizon radar programmes to close NORAD surveillance gaps
Washington and Ottawa’s Arctic and homeland radar initiatives aim to strengthen early warning against cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons and long-range aerospace threats approaching North America.
-
![The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement]()
The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement
European militaries face a rapidly evolving security landscape and defence production must accelerate to meet surging demand for platforms and equipment. Industry needs to adapt to ensure it gets its products into the hands of the end user, Evelyn Rafferty, Senior Director Aerospace and Defence - Europe at Plexus told Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan.
-
![Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP]()
Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP
The UK defence secretary’s departure suggests that the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan is unlikely to meet the funding demands of the armed forces, with consequences for procurement and the UK’s standing at a NATO summit weeks away.
