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US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis in Whasington on October 9, 2018. REUTERS / Joshua Roberts

Former defense secretary Jim Mattis, who resigned last December following the announcement of the withdrawal of US troops from Syria, published a Wall Street Journal column. The former Marine general fired red bullets on the US president.

With our correspondent in Washington, Anne Corpet

Jim Mattis does not quote Donald Trump directly, but is very clearly targeting the White House guest in his Wall Street Journal column . The general deplores not only the policy of the American president, but also his way of governing.

He denounced the isolationist retreat of the United States and he said: " Throwing controversies is not enough to lead . A senior official must be insightful, strategic, and respect the nations who have supported us in times of need. Leading without cooperating leads to failure, "he concludes.

Mattis fears internal divisions

Jim Mattis also talks about his departure from Trump. He explains that his opinions were no longer heard especially he stresses, when it comes to maintaining the trust of our allies.

Finally, the former Secretary of Defense delivers his dark vision of America today. " What worries me the most," he writes, " are not our adversaries, but our internal divisions. We are divided into hostile tribes who rise up against each other, fueled by emotion and mutual contempt ".

He concluded, alarmed: " All Americans must recognize that our democracy can be reversed. We all know that we are better than our current policy. Tribalism should not destroy our experience. "