Patrick Shanahan: the new guy in the Pentagon hot seat after the early departure of James Mattis
- Shanahan will be thrust onto the world stage at a time of tumultuous changes
- His lack of foreign policy chops got him in hot water with the late John McCain
Patrick Shanahan, who on Tuesday becomes the acting US secretary of defence, takes the helm of America’s massive military machine at a critical time.
Shanahan is moving up from his position as deputy defence secretary to the top spot following the resignation of James Mattis, who quit over long-running – and ultimately irreconcilable – disagreements with US President Donald Trump.
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.
The president earlier in December ordered the withdrawal of all US forces from Syria and, according to US officials, a 50 per cent draw down in Afghanistan – momentous decisions that have left lawmakers and international allies fearing for what comes next.
Shanahan must now oversee the US withdrawal from Syria and play a key role in helping Trump decide the pace of the pull-out.
“He’s had 18 months to observe all of these operations, he’s been in all of the meetings, he’s been in all the discussions, he’s briefed the White House,” Shanahan’s spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Joe Buccino, said.