USA: Mattis's last words

US Secretary of Defense James Mattis resigns - and he used his resignation letter to make it clear that he is doing so because of fundamental disagreements with the ideas and approach of President Donald Trump in foreign policy.

In the letter, Mattis describes his core beliefs: that America's strength is linked to its "alliances and partnerships" abroad, that the US should decisively resist China's and Russia's attempts to "shape a world in accordance with their authoritarian model," and that the US should protect the "international order."

Then Mattis makes it clear that he believes Trump does not share these convictions.

"Because you have the right to a Defense Secretary whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other topics," Mattis writes, "I believe it is right for me to step down from my position. The end date for my tenure is February 28, 2019."

We hereby document this letter for you: