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Source: Getty

In The Media

Gates Criticizes Obama on Afghanistan

Former defense secretary Robert Gates’ criticism of President Obama in his new memoir is not entirely surprising, since Gates was always seen as part of Obama’s ‘team of rivals.’

Link Copied
By David Rothkopf
Published on Jan 7, 2014

Source: CNN

Carnegie’s David Rothkopf spoke with CNN about former defense secretary Robert Gates’ criticism of President Obama in his new memoir. Rothkopf explained that Gates’ critique of the president should come as no surprise, given that Gates was always seen as part of Obama’s ‘team of rivals;’ the more surprising aspect of the memoir is that it is being released at this point in the current Obama administration. Rothkopf suggested this release speaks to Gates’ real frustration with the Obama administration.

This interview originally aired on CNN. 

About the Author

David Rothkopf

Former Visiting Scholar

David Rothkopf was a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment as well as the former CEO and editor in chief of the FP Group.

    Recent Work

  • In The Media
    How Bush, Obama, and Trump Ended Pax Americana

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  • In The Media
    A Bigger Clubhouse

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David Rothkopf
Former Visiting Scholar
David Rothkopf
Political ReformSecurityForeign PolicyNorth AmericaUnited States

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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