Trump fires Mattis early, Shanahan to take over Jan. 1

Note this prophetic statement from Dick Cheney.

Richard B. Cheney (1989-1993):

"We're always going to have to be involved [in the Middle East]. Maybe it's part of our national character, you know we like to have these problems nice and neatly wrapped up, put a ribbon around it. You deploy a force, you win the war and the problem goes away. But it doesn't work that way in the Middle East. It never has, and isn't likely to in my lifetime."

Dick Cheney is now primarily known for being Vice-President from 2001-2009, but by the time he became the Secretary of Defense in 1989, he had already served as a representative from Wyoming and the White House Chief of Staff under Gerald Ford. During his tenure he directed the U.S. invasion of Panama and Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East, as well as oversaw a reduced military budget in the wake of the Cold War's end.

No disagreement, he was the best and did the right. Problem is, we do not have the resources to stay in a state of combat until the last enemy is killed or surrender. Establish the mission, complete it and leave. Never get involved in civil wars. Syria and Afghanistan are proof of that. We heard all the same warnings when we left the field of battle in the past, now we are allies. Trust me, the politicians will find a new field of battle or increase the level of action with in-process cockroach stomping venues.

Keep in mind that while Congress is out of session, the President can use the Vacancy Clause to backfill the SecDef position without Senate Confirmation. Had Mattis left on schedule, Pres Trump would have had to immediately nominate a replacement and go through a political process.

This might not be a bad play "strategically" considering that he has an oppositional Congress.