Secretaries Gates, Clinton Discuss Defense and Diplomacy
Afghanistan and Iran dominate the conversation about foreign policy moderated by GW’s Frank Sesno and CNN’s Christiane Amanpour.
In what may be the first joint interview of two sitting cabinet secretaries, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates described their “coherent and unified foreign policy,” stressed the United States’ long-term commitment to Afghanistan, and assessed Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Held in GW’s Lisner Auditorium on Oct. 5, the sold-out roundtable was moderated by GW School of Media and Public Affairs Director Frank Sesno and CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour. The program was broadcast on CNN Oct. 6 as a special edition of CNN’s new program Amanpour.
The roundtable in large part focused on U.S. strategy in Afghanistan with Secretary Gates acknowledging that the situation on the ground is “serious and deteriorating” in part because of inadequate troop levels. “The reality is that because of our inability and the inability, frankly, of our allies, to put enough troops in Afghanistan, the Taliban do have the momentum right now,” he said, warning that a Taliban takeover of large swatches of the country would be “hugely empowering” for al-Qaeda.
While describing President Obama as reassessing U.S. policy in Afghanistan, particularly in the wake of last month’s “flawed” election, Secretary Gates said pulling out is not an option. “We are not leaving Afghanistan,” he said. “There should be no uncertainty in terms of our determination to remain in Afghanistan and to continue to build a relationship of partnership and trust with the Pakistanis.” Secretary Gates also expressed his full confidence in General Stanley McChrystal, calling him “exactly the right person to be commander in Afghanistan right now.”
Both secretaries emphasized their belief that advice to the president on Afghanistan should remain private. “It is unusual for all advice about military matters to be in public for a president,” said Secretary Clinton. “As decisions get made, they will be fully available for the public.” Secretary Gates insisted he was “absolutely not” trying to muzzle General McChrystal, who has publicly commented on military strategy and troop levels.
In response to a question about Iran’s nuclear program, Secretary Clinton said Iran’s commitment to resolving the crisis was unclear but defended the United States’ “dual track” of engagement and the threat of additional sanctions.
“My personal belief all along has been that they have the intention of developing nuclear weapons,” said Secretary Gates. “But the question is can we over time…bring the Iranians to a conclusion that Iran is better off without nuclear weapons than with them—not just in the security sense but economically and in terms of their isolation in the national community.”
The secretaries also spoke of a new and unified foreign policy that integrates military strategy with public diplomacy and engagement. “My view is the American toolbox should include something other than hammers,” said Secretary Gates.
The event was the second installment of the 2009-10 GW Public Affairs Project Conversation Series, and was co-hosted by the School of Media and Public Affairs, part of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, and the Elliott School of International Affairs, in association with the University’s Institute of Public Diplomacy and Global Communication. In addition to the CNN broadcast, a one-hour radio special was produced and distributed by America Abroad Media internationally and to 240 public radio stations in the United States.
Clinton & Gates Event
Download full transcript of event.
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