Jim Mattis

The United States’ decision was based on a review into the matter by former defense secretary James Mattis

President-elect Joe Biden on Dec. 8 made his case for retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin to be secretary of defense, urging Congress to waive a legal prohibition against a recently serving military officer running the Pentagon.

President-elect Joe Biden will nominate retired four-star Army general Lloyd J. Austin to be secretary of defense, according to four people familiar with the decision. If confirmed by the Senate, Austin would be the first Black leader of the Pentagon.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned Thursday, leading a chorus of protests at home and abroad after President Donald Trump ordered a complete troop pullout from Syria and a significant withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The U.S. is setting up observation posts along the Turkish border in northern Syria, Defense Chief James Mattis said on Nov. 21.

As the global hegemony of the West is put to the test, the leaders of the big Western powers are busy having a public spat. While a wide range of strongmen in capitals from Moscow to Tehran and Beijing must really be enjoying the spectacle, it is a truly sad development.

Saudi Arabia has promised a "full" investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, United States Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Oct. 28 following talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Bahrain.        

US Defense Secretary James Mattis stressed the importance of the Prespa Agreement signed between Athens and Skopje to resolve the 27-year-old name dispute and praised Greece's efforts to stop Russian interference in the process during a meeting with Greek counterpart Panos Kammenos at the Pentagon on Tuesday.

Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos has urged the United States to increase bilateral security cooperation with Greece, urging Washington to expand its military presence to Volos and Alexandroupoli as well as Larissa.

Ahead of a meeting Tuesday with Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, US Defense Secretary James Mattis praised Greece as a "solid" and "excellent" ally and described Souda Bay base on the island of Crete as "one of our most important ports of call in the Mediterranean."