Statement of 
General James N. Mattis, U.S. Marine Corps Commander 
U.S. Central Command
 Before the Senate Armed Services Committee on
 the Posture of U.S. Central Command

In over 30 years of supporting U.S. forces in the Central Command area of responsibility (AOR), I have never witnessed it so tumultuous. Change is the only constant and surprise continues to be the dominant force in the region. Across the AOR at large, both opportunities and challenges exist. The USCENTCOM AOR encompasses the world’s largest energy reserves, yet also some of the most crucial and vulnerable chokepoints. It is home to a rich array of cultures, religions and confessions; but also tainted by radicals, violent extremists, malign networks and state- sponsored agents and unconventional proxies who seek to violently exploit those differences. These problems are coupled with systemic challenges of poor governance, a large youth demographic bulge and insufficient economic opportunity, and the social construct between governments and their people breaking down in numerous places.