In the aftermath of an attack on a U.S. military outpost in Jordan that claimed the lives of three American soldiers, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates has resurfaced with criticism of President Biden’s foreign policy failures. Gates, who had previously expressed his displeasure with Biden’s positions in a 2014 memoir, “Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War,” reiterated his concerns during a recent interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes.” According to Gates, Biden has been consistently wrong on major foreign policy and national security issues over the past four decades.
Gates specifically pointed to Biden’s opposition to important military programs during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, the first Gulf War, and their differing perspectives on the war in Afghanistan. He also criticized Biden’s handling of the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Gates, who served as Defense Secretary under both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, is a respected figure in the national security community.
The Pentagon has identified the three soldiers killed in the Iran-backed militia attack as Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Spc. Kennedy Landon Sanders, and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett. All three were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, Fort Moore, Georgia. The attack marks a significant escalation of violence against U.S. forces in the region.
Critics, including Senator Lindsey Graham, have directed blame at President Biden for the attack and called for a strong response against Iran. Graham argued that the Biden administration’s policy of deterrence against Iran has failed, citing over 100 attacks on U.S. forces in the region since Biden took office.
The Biden administration has attributed these attacks to Iran-backed militia groups in Syria and Iraq, retaliating against U.S. support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The Department of Defense has reported a total of 165 attacks in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan since October 17, 2022. Of these, 66 occurred in Iraq, 98 in Syria, and one in Jordan.
The weekend attacks in Jordan resulted in over 40 injuries, with at least eight individuals medically evacuated. One service member remains in critical but stable condition. Since October 17, a total of 80 U.S. service members have been injured in the region.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Biden administration in the Middle East and underscores the need for a reassessment of its foreign policy approach. As criticisms mount, President Biden and his administration will face increased scrutiny over their handling of U.S. military operations and relationships with Iran and other regional actors.
Brandon Gillespie is an associate editor at [publication]. Follow him on [social media platform] at @BGillespieAL for the latest updates on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content.
