“Mad Dog” Defanged: How A Missing Missile Defense Report Explains Mattis’ Impending Departure (From Forbes)

During his first month in office, President Trump directed separate reviews of the nation’s offensive nuclear posture and ballistic missile defenses.  The offensive forces review was done on time, in January of this year.  The missile defense review never was completed — probably in part because it posed a threat to the status quo in national security policy.  Secretary of Defense James Mattis has made resisting “capricious” requests from an “erratic” chief executive part of his job, and investing heavily in active defenses of the homeland seems to fall into that category.  Which helps explain why President Trump has run out of patience with Secretary Mattis, and will soon replace him.  I have written a commentary for Forbes here.