Former Defense Secretary Panetta: Obama's military strategy is 'damaging'

Obama's close advisers are now his critics

Former Defense Secretary Panetta: Obama's military strategy is 'damaging'
(Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Former Obama administration advisers Hillary Clinton, David Axelrod, and Robert Gates have already spoken out against the president's handling of foreign policy. Now former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has added himself to the list of critics, as he described Obama as someone who "avoids the battle, complains, and misses opportunities."

While promoting his new memoir this week, the former Democratic congressman, CIA director, and Pentagon chief called Obama's military strategy "damaging" and said that the president sent "mixed signals" to Syria and to the whole world — affecting the United States' credibility.

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Teresa Mull