Ashton Carter
Washington should continue to seek ways of cooperation with Moscow, despite dwindling opportunities. This was stated by the head of the Pentagon Ashton Carter in an interview with Bloomberg. According to him, the number of areas in which to work with Russia, over the last 10 years has decreased.
“I see areas where we can cooperate, but with time they are becoming more and more limited,” he said. Among them, the Minister of defense, called North Korea’s nuclear programme and Iran. “The Russians, like us, believe that it is not in their interests of war and a new nuclear weapons on the border with North Korea,” explained Carter.
The fight against international terrorist organization “Islamic state” (IG banned in Russia) in the areas of joint work is not included, said the head of the Pentagon.
January 12, potential Secretary of defense James Mattis during a conversation with senators during the approval procedure described Russia as the main threat to the United States. Thus in his written statement to lawmakers, he explained that he supports the desire of the elected President of the USA of Donald trump to start cooperation with Moscow.
January 8, Carter described Russia’s contribution to the fight against ISIS as zero. In his opinion, Moscow said only that he would fight in Syria with the terrorists and to help resolve the civil war there, but in practice did not.
On 6 January, the Pentagon expressed the view that the desire of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin to weaken the U.S. influence on world politics prevents Washington and Moscow to find common interests.
Trump said he plans to appoint Mattis as head of the Pentagon 2 Dec. In order for a retired General was appointed, the U.S. Congress should make new law to repeal existing regulations which the Minister of defence should not be in the previous seven years on active duty.
Donald trump won the presidential elections held on 8 November 2016, defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton. His inauguration will take place on January 20.