‘Storm clouds gathering' over Korean Peninsula, ‘you gotta be ready’ – Mattis to US troops

rt.com

The authority of US foreign policy should be supported by the army’s readiness for war, now that “storm clouds” are gathering over the Koreas, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said on a two-day visit to the peninsula.

As the families of the nearly 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea were preparing for the holidays, with growing concerns over possible evacuations from the peninsula, Mattis arrived with ominous words.

“My fine young soldiers, the only way our diplomats can speak with authority and be believed is if you’re ready to go,” Mattis told the troops.

The defense secretary pointed out that there are important lessons to be gained from history. “Knowing what went wrong the last time around is as important as knowing your own testing, so that you’re forewarned – you know what I’m driving at here. So you gotta be ready.”