In 'Exercise Of Power' Robert Gates Says Presidents Too Often Rely On The Military
In his latest book, the former defense secretary says some matters more often than not call for other elements of American power: diplomacy or foreign aid or clear strategic communications.
by Tom Bowman
Jun 15, 2020
3 minutes
When he was defense secretary, Robert Gates would often say there are more people in military bands than in the State Department's Foreign Service. The Pentagon could always get funding, while State was often cut in the budget process.
Now Gates has expanded on that theme in his latest book — Exercise of Power: American Failures, Successes, and a New which says presidents too often rely on the military for matters that more often than not call for other elements of American power: diplomacy or foreign aid or clear strategic communications.
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