Former National Security Council chief of staff Fred Fleitz and former U.S. Secretary of Veteran Affairs Robert Wilkie shared their concerns about the negative impact of President Joe Biden’s actions on American credibility and global security.
Fleitz raised the question of whether Biden has eroded American credibility, highlighting Iran’s missile strikes not only in Pakistan but also in Syria and Iraq, along with threats directed at the U.S. Consulate in Iraq and a U.S. base. He pointed out the significance of recent missile strikes against the Houthis, mentioning that The Wall Street Journal reported advance warnings given to the Houthis before the airstrikes. Fleitz argued that this approach could be seen as a sign of weakness, potentially contributing to the surge in regional instability.
Wilkie, focusing on the broader implications for global security and the United States, stressed the danger of the U.S. being perceived as weak and having ineffective leadership. As a former undersecretary of defense, Wilkie acknowledged the complexities in the relationships between Iran and Pakistan. He expressed his concerns about potential distractions within the White House’s national security team.
Wilkie criticized the decision to provide advance notice to the Houthis before conducting airstrikes, describing it as “malpractice of the first order.” He emphasized that such an approach portrays the United States as engaging in “foreign policy social work” rather than prioritizing its own interests and security.
He further pointed out the stark contrast between launching missiles into unpopulated desert areas while disregarding threats to crucial shipping lanes, characterizing it as foreign policy that focuses on social aspects rather than safeguarding the interests of the United States and ensuring the protection of its military personnel overseas.
