MATTIS WARNS – AT 11:18 A.M. ET:  Trump's nominee for secretary of defense is taking a very hard line, somewhat harder than Trump himself.  From Fox:

Defense secretary nominee Gen. James Mattis issued a grave warning Thursday at his Senate confirmation hearing, saying the established world order is under its “biggest attack” since World War II as he called for boosting military readiness and America’s alliances.

Under questioning from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., about Russia and other threats, Mattis said the U.S. should “recognize the reality” of dealing with Vladimir Putin’s government and that he’s trying to “break” the North Atlantic alliance.

Citing Russia’s aggressions and other concerns, he said: “I think [the world order is] under the biggest attack since World War II … from Russia, from terrorist groups and with what China is doing in the South China Sea.”

To address this, Mattis testified, “deterrence is critical.”

His assessment came as he called for strengthening “military readiness” while also pursuing “business reforms” at the Pentagon. He said U.S. forces must be the “best led, best equipped and most lethal in the world.”

“If you confirm me, my watchwords will be solvency and security in providing for the protection of our people and the survival of our freedoms,” he said.

Mattis, a tough Marine general who earned the nickname “Mad Dog” over the course of his career and most recently led U.S. Central Command before retiring in 2013, is poised to become the first career military officer in charge of the Pentagon since the 1950s,

He addressed any potential concerns about that break from tradition at his hearing Thursday, saying he recognizes civilian control of the military is a “fundamental tenet of the American military tradition.”

COMMENT:  So far all the Trump nominees in the national security area are taking harder lines than Trump himself, especially in dealing with Russia.  I think we'll see Trump joining them in coming weeks, as he realizes that his chumminess with Putin has been a liability.

What Trump does not need is for someone like Mattis to resign in protest against policies that are too soft on Russia.  Trump's opponents, even within the GOP, would have a field day.  I think some realism is coming our way.

January 12, 2017