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

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.

Panetta's critiques follow former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's assertion in August that Obama's Syrian strategy was a "failure" that led to the rise of ISIS. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote in his memoir that Obama "lacked commitment" in his foreign policy, and David Axelrod, presidential adviser, recently said it was a "mistake" for Obama to say that his policies are on the ballot for the upcoming midterm elections.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up