Defense Sec. Nominee: World Faces Greatest Threat Right Now

President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Defense Secretary answered some tough questions at his confirmation hearing on Thursday.

FOX’s Rachel Sutherland reports from Washington:

Retired General James Mattis warned the Senate Armed Services Committee, the world order faces the greatest threat since World War II:

(Mattis) “That’s from Russia, from terrorist groups, and with what China’s doing in the South China sea.”

He called from stronger deterrents for these threats. Chairman John McCain wondered:

(McCain) “Do you think we have a strong enough military today in order to achieve that goal? (Mattis) No sir.”

General Mattis said it’s important to recognize the reality of Russia, saying President Vladimir Putin wants to break the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance.

In Washington, Rachel Sutherland, FOX News.

Follow Rachel Sutherland on Twitter: @SutherlandFOX