VOA常速英语:Mattis Says no Change in Russia's Capabilities

Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government.
接下来，是一篇反映美国政府观点的社论。
Defense Secretary James Mattis said he sees no change in Russia’s military capability in light of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent speech in which he said Russia has developed new strategic weapons systems capable of attacking the United States.As Secretary of Defense, Mattis said his role is to make strategic assessments, and he determined that there was no change to the Russian military capability in Putin’s remarks. The systems the Russian president talked about “are still years away,” the secretary said,adding that he doesn’t see them changing the military balance.
美国国防部长詹姆斯·马蒂斯表示他认为俄罗斯的军事实力没有发生变化，他是根据俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京近期演讲中提到的俄罗斯已经研发出能打击美国的新型战略武器体系而发表的言论。正如国防部长马蒂斯所称，他的任务是进行战略评估，他从普京的演讲中断定俄罗斯的军事实力没有发生变化。俄罗斯总统谈到的武器体系“仍需数年才能完成，”国防部长称，并且他认为它们不会改变军事平衡。
“They do not impact any need on our side for a change in our deterrent posture,” he confirmed.The recent cancellation of scheduled strategic stability talks shows a Russia that’s not even acting in its own best interests, said Secretary Mattis.
“它们不影响我们改变遏制姿态的必要性，”他确认道。近期取消预定的战略稳定对话显示了俄罗斯没有实现自己的最佳利益，马蒂斯部长称。
Turning to Syria, Mattis noted that Russia signed up with the United Nations Security Council for a cease-fire in Homs, Aleppo, and East Ghouta. “Their partner [the Assad regime] proceeds to bomb, at best, indiscriminately, at worst, targeting hospitals,” he said. “I don’t know which it is -- either they’re incompetent or they’re committing illegal acts, or both.”
说到叙利亚，马蒂斯指出俄罗斯与联合国安理会签署了霍姆斯、阿勒波和东高塔的停火协议。“他们的伙伴（阿萨德政权）进行轰炸，最好情况是无差别轰炸，最坏情况是对医院进行轰炸，”他指出。“我不知道是哪种情况——他们或是无能或是进行违法行为，亦或两者都有。”
Secretary Mattis told reporters he is aware of reports of chlorine gas use and of the bombings taking place in Syria.“It’s almost like a sickening replay of what we’ve seen before, in Aleppo for example, and before that in Homs,” he said.U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley worked with the U.N. Security Council to reach a cease-fire in Syria,and “Russia’s partner immediately commenced violating it,” Mattis said. “We’re working through diplomatic means; continuing to work,” he stressed, “we don’t give up.”
马蒂斯部长告诉记者他注意到关于在叙利亚使用氯气和发生爆炸的报道。“这几乎是令人厌恶的故技重施，以前我们在阿勒颇和霍姆斯也看到过类似事件，”他表示。美国驻联合国大使妮基·海利与联合国安理会合作达成叙利亚停火协议，“俄罗斯的伙伴立即开始违反协议，”马蒂斯称。“我们正通过外交手段解决，并继续推进工作，”他强调，“我们不会放弃。”