After Mattis, Shanahan takes Pentagon helm at critical timeBy The Manila TimesWASHINGTON, D.C.: Patrick Shanahan, who on Tuesday becomes the acting US secretary of defense, takes the helm of America’s massive military machine at a critical time. Little known outside business and Washington circles, Shanahan will be thrust onto the world stage at a time of tumultuous changes and unpredictable foreign policy moves under Trump. Shanahan must now oversee the US withdrawal from Syria and play a key role in helping Trump decide the pace of the pull out. While Shanahan has not always had day-to-day involvement in thorny geopolitical issues like this, Pentagon officials say he is ready to tackle them. An official close to Shanahan said he would feel comfortable giving Trump an opposing opinion if necessary.

Source: Manila Times December 31, 2018 02:03 UTC