By — Robert Burns, Associated Press Robert Burns, Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/new-pentagon-leader-pat-shanahan-says-he-is-focusing-on-china Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter New Pentagon leader Pat Shanahan says he is focusing on China Politics Jan 2, 2019 11:42 AM EDT WASHINGTON — On his first day as acting defense secretary, Pat Shanahan is emphasizing that China should be the Pentagon’s main focus. Aides say Shanahan, who’s leading the Pentagon after the departure of Jim Mattis, struck the China theme at a meeting Wednesday with the department’s top civilian leaders, including the heads of the military services. The aides aren’t authorized to publicly discuss internal defense meetings and are speaking on condition of condition of anonymity. One aide says Shanahan told the gathering that he’s focused on the strategy written and implemented under Mattis that focuses on Russia and China as “great power” competitors. In that context, Shanahan told the civilian leaders to remember, in his words, “China, China, China.” Shanahan’s expected to attend a Cabinet meeting at the White House later Wednesday. READ MORE: Mattis is leaving. What does that mean for Trump? We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Robert Burns, Associated Press Robert Burns, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — On his first day as acting defense secretary, Pat Shanahan is emphasizing that China should be the Pentagon’s main focus. Aides say Shanahan, who’s leading the Pentagon after the departure of Jim Mattis, struck the China theme at a meeting Wednesday with the department’s top civilian leaders, including the heads of the military services. The aides aren’t authorized to publicly discuss internal defense meetings and are speaking on condition of condition of anonymity. One aide says Shanahan told the gathering that he’s focused on the strategy written and implemented under Mattis that focuses on Russia and China as “great power” competitors. In that context, Shanahan told the civilian leaders to remember, in his words, “China, China, China.” Shanahan’s expected to attend a Cabinet meeting at the White House later Wednesday. READ MORE: Mattis is leaving. What does that mean for Trump? We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now