Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is a Republican and was a prominent member of former President George W. Bush's Cabinet, said he is enjoying working for President Obama. Gates praised Obama’s approach to decision-making as the nation's commander-in-chief. "He is very analytical. He is very deliberate about the way he goes through things. He wants to understand everything. He delves very deeply into these issues." (What a change from Bush)As I was reading this report this morning, my mind zipped back to Bush/Cheney getting us involved in the wrongful war in Iraq. All you have to do is look at a map of the Middle East to understand how ridiculous it was to get involved in this war. After 9/11, the world understood Bin Laden/Al Qaeda were the perpetrators. The US government concluded that Osama bin Laden was present during the Battle of Tora Bora, Afghanistan in late 2001, and according to civilian and military officials with first-hand knowledge, failure by the US to commit US ground troops to hunt him led to his escape and was the gravest failure by the US in the war against al Qaeda. Bin Laden began the battle of Tora Bora inside the cave complex along Afghanistan's mountainous eastern border. He somehow managed to escape. Today, Intelligence Reports indicate he escaped to Chitral, Pakistan. Anyone who studies a map of the middle east knows and understands the closeness in proximity of these areas. He escaped to a nearby region. Tora Bora, Afghanistan and Chitral, Pakistan are on the Eastern side of their countries, close to China. Iraq is located on the opposite side of Iran.
It made no sense to go to Iraq. There were no weapons of mass destruction. Many of Bush's advisers advised against going there, including Richard Clark. Yet, we still are there. If anyone can get us, perhaps Obama can.
Defense Secretary Gates has worked with both men. I'd say his feedback is a very good sign!
Reference:
'I very much enjoy working for' Obama, Gates says
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