US lawmakers disappointed by Mattis resignation

KABUL/WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): Both Republican and Democratic legislators have voiced their disappointment over the resignation of US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

In a flood of tweets, lawmakers called the secretary’s departure a loss for the US administration, whose announcement of troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and Syria has shocked many.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi told journalists she was shaken by the news of Mattis's imminent resignation. "I'm shaken by the news because of the patriot that Secretary Mattis is.

“I think everybody in the country should read his letter of resignation," she told reporters at a press conference scheduled to discuss a looming government shutdown,” she remarked.

Sen. Lindsey Graham also hit out at President Trump’s plan for a “significant drawdown” of troops stationed in Afghanistan. Such a maneuver could make the US vulnerable to a second 9/11, e warned.”

The MP said he had just returned from Afghanistan and could say without hesitation that ISIS-K remained a direct threat to IS homeland and they would dramatically benefit from a reduced American troop presence.

 “The conditions in Afghanistan – at the present moment – make American troop withdrawals a high-risk strategy.  If we continue on our present course, we are setting in motion the loss of all our gains and paving the way toward a second 9/11,” Graham said.

The Republican senator from South Carolina insisted ISIS-K remained a direct threat to the US and they would dramatically benefit from a reduced American troop presence.

“Our Afghan partners are incapable of subduing the threat posed by ISIS-K alone. In addition, our intelligence capability and military might cannot be replaced by any other regional ally when it comes to subduing ISIS-K in Afghanistan or Pakistan. Like in Syria, troop withdrawal should be based on conditions on the ground,” Graham said.

Ongoing efforts in Afghanistan are necessary to ensure another 9/11 does not occur. With threats rising from ISIS-K and other terrorist groups, America’s presence in Afghanistan today is as important as it has ever been to protect the homeland and our allies,” Congressman Jim Banks said.

“We cannot allow terrorists to regain control of Afghanistan,” he said. “While we all want an end to America’s longest running war, it must be done the right way. Withdrawing half our troops from Afghanistan at this critical time is a major risk that would lead to greater instability and jeopardize America’s national security,” Banks said.         

“An American retreat from Syria emboldens ISIS. An American retreat from Afghanistan emboldens Al-Qaeda and undermines the ultimate sacrifice already paid by thousands of Americans. Both will threaten our Homeland again,” Congressman Will Hurd said.

Such a move would give advantage to the Taliban, warned Husain Haqqani, former Pakistani ambassador to the US. “If stories about US drawdown are true, Trump will have done exactly what Obama did: Send troops in, only to withdraw them prematurely...”

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), called it "a sad day for America because Mattis offer advice the president needed to hear.

“Isolationism is a weak strategy that will harm Americans and America's allies. Radical Islamic jihadists are still at war with us. No, ISIS is not gone."

PAN Monitor/mud