James Mattis

ring rood-high.jpg

John Rood, a veteran national security policymaker, has emerged as the leading candidate of Defense Secretary James Mattis to be the next undersecretary of defense for policy.

U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis, right, greet soldiers of the Germany's Army at the Training Range in Pabrade, some 60km.(38 miles) north of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Mattis said NATO is helping provide a deterrent against potential Russian aggression in eastern Europe. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

2_162017_aptopix-belgium-nato-us-d-28201.jpg

Secretary of Defense James Mattis said the only way for the U.S. to renew its military ties with Russia is if the U.S. occupies a strong position in negotiations with Moscow. Washington remains "open to opportunities," he said. (Associated Press photographs)

Trump_Inauguration_04794.jpg-c868f.jpg

Defense Secretary-designate James Mattis, top right, looks out during the 58th Presidential Inauguration parade for President Donald Trump in Washington. Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Trump_Inauguration_88835.jpg-98056.jpg

Defense Secretary-designate James Mattis, right, laughs as he waits with Former Gov. Rick Perry, R-Tex., for the 58th Presidential Inauguration parade for President Donald Trump in Washington. Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Mattis.jpg

Marines pose with General James Mattis, Commanding General, CENTCOM, at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sunday, May 8, 2011.

1_282015_ring8201.jpg

Retired commander of the U.S. Central Command, Gen. James Mattis, speaks before Congress. (Associated Press) ** FILE **

20130305-213128-pic-763446898.jpg

Marine Gen. James Mattis (left), commander of U.S. Central Command, and Navy Adm. William H. McRaven, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

Iraq Biden Visit_Lea.jpg

** FILE ** Vice President Joseph R. Biden (second from left) meets in Baghdad on Monday, Aug. 30, 2010, with (from left) Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the outgoing U.S. commander in Iraq; U.S. Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey; Marine Gen. James Mattis, head of U.S. Central Command; and Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, the incoming commander of U.S. forces in Iraq. The change of command ceremony was held Wednesday. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

20100727-194412-pic-486577976.jpg

Marine Gen. James Mattis, named to head U.S. Central Command, arrives Tuesday on Capitol Hill to testify at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination. (Associated Press)

mattis_3854

U.S. Central Command Commander-nominee Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis, left, arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 27, 2010, to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

mattis_3853

U.S. Central Command Commander-nominee Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis , right, is greeted on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 27, 2010, by Senate Armed Services Committee Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., prior to testifying before the committee's hearing on his nomination. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

mattis_3852

U.S. Central Command Commander-nominee Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis, center, smiles on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 27, 2010, prior to testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

mattis_3851

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., left and the committee's ranking Republican Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, question Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis, center, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 27, 2010, during the committee's hearing on Mattis' nomination to head the U.S. Central Command. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

mattis_3849

U.S. Central Command Commander-nominee Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 27, 2010, to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)