India, Nov. 19 -- In the United States of America, the civilian post of Defence Secretary is a political appointment even though it is usually held by former combatants, who have the domain experience and perspective. Yet it calls for trapeze jugglery as the former Defence Secretary and legendary warrior-scholar, General James Mattis, noted, "Remember that the Defence Department stays outside of politics for a reason. There's a long-standing tradition, why you do not want the military to be engaged in politics." With such apolitical and professional instincts, the likes of James Mattis were not expected to survive long with the infamous Donald Trump fickleness. And they didn't - Mattis joined the revolving door of axed veterans, who could...