We have the most skillful, firecest, and certainly the most ethical ground forces in the world... I'm not saying we have to commit right now, but certainly don't pull it off the table.
James MattisThe destruction that we have wreaked in the various theaters in which we've been engaged is really quite astonishing. But again, lethality, destruction, killing doesn't seem to achieve our objectives. So, my own sense is that a lack of lethality does not define the core problem.
James MattisI don't see lethality as the problem. I mean, the lethality of US forces is quite remarkable.
James MattisUltimately, a real understanding of history means that we face NOTHING new under the sun.
James MattisThere are some people who think you have to hate them in order to shoot them. I don't think you do. It's just business.
James MattisThe importance of strengthening Euro-Atlantic security: the growing dangers pile pressure on our rules-based international system, so we need to do more to strengthen NATO, the bedrock of our defense - not just upping spending, but making the alliance more agile and more capable of tackling dangers from all directions.
James Mattis