Mattis says Russia cannot replace U.S. in Mideast

"Russia's presence in the region cannot replace the longstanding, enduring, and transparent U.S. commitment to the Middle East,"

Perhaps, but by contributing to the destruction of Syria Russia's making a start at being like the US has been in its destruction of Iraq and other places.

Russia and the US have too many problems in their respective homes; go home and tend to them. Both need to stop interfering in other nations' affairs.

Stop wars for oil and gas. Find alternatives to burning so much oil and gas.

It's anything but transparent commitment in middle East....