Back in 2011, amid the discussions of withdrawal from Iraq, and the debate over how many troops would be needed to maintain a stable environment, two influential names rose to the surface, Tom Donilon and Denis McDonough. Both Donilon and McDonough overrode the Pentagon advice, and advised President Obama to dismiss the military and heed their counsel instead.
In August [2011], after debates between the Pentagon, the State Department and the White House, the Americans settled on the 3,000 to 5,000 number, which was reported in August. According to two people briefed on the matter, one inside the administration and one outside, the arguments of two White House officials, Thomas E. Donilon, the national security adviser, and his deputy, Denis McDonough, prevailed over those of the military.
Intelligence assessments that Iraq was not at great risk of slipping into chaos in the absence of American forces were a factor in the decision, an American official said. (link)
Against the current Iraqi headlines, and given the influence of both McDonough and Donilon during the Benghazi attack on the night of 9/11/12, it’s easy to see why Henry Kissinger reportedly, refers to Obama’s group of advisers as, “kids.” President Obama’s “Guiding Lightweights“
(Sept. 11, 2012) 7:30pm – ”Denis McDonough, Deputy National Security Advisor, left, updates the President and Vice President on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa [The Benghazi Attack]. National Security Advisor Tom Donilon and Chief of Staff Jack Lew are at right.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
It’s clear these two characters (along with Ben Rhodes and Tony Blinkin) also played a strong role in the construction of the Bowe Bergdahl narrative: Rose Garden speech, Susan Rice “honor and distinction” talking points etc.
It’s also clear the Obama “Responsibility to Protect” Doctrine is a disingenuous construct of Samantha Power which is first filtered through the prism of politics….
Meanwhile:
