ident Barack Obama for leaning toward, then deciding against military action against Syria for its use of chemical weapons.
"By failing to respond, it sent the wrong message to the world," Panetta says in a new book in which he reveals his differences with the president over the decision to withdraw completely from Iraq in 2011.
In August 2012, Obama said the U.S. would reconsider its opposition to military involvement in the Syrian civil war if President Bashar Assad deployed or used chemical or biological weapons. "That's a red line for us," the president said. "There would be enormous consequences if we start seeing movement on the chemical weapons front, or the use of chemical weapons. That would change my calculations significantly."
But even after Assad used chemical weapons, killing hundreds of Syrian civilians, Obama planned a Rose Garden address in which it was widely expected to announce airstrikes against Assad, Obama instead said he would consult with Congress.
"President Obama vacillated, first indicating that he was prepared to order some strikes, then retreating and agreeing to submit the matter to Congress," according to an early copy of the book purchased by The Associated Press. "The latter was, as he well knew, an almost certain way to scotch any action. By mid-2013, a majority of Congress could not agree on what day of the week it was, much less a resolution authorizing the use of American force in the Middle East.
"The result, I felt, was a blow to American credibility. When the president as commander in chief draws a red line, it is critical that he act if the line is crossed. ... Assad's action clearly defied President Obama's warning."
Panetta's book, "Worthy Fights," is scheduled for release next week.
More: Leon Panetta Criticizes Obama For Sending Wrong Message To The World On Syria
Leon Panetta and other former Obama subordinates show stunning disloyalty - The Washington Post
Once a Republican turncoat - always a Republican turncoat (Panetta was a Republican until 1971).
"By failing to respond, it sent the wrong message to the world," Panetta says in a new book in which he reveals his differences with the president over the decision to withdraw completely from Iraq in 2011.
In August 2012, Obama said the U.S. would reconsider its opposition to military involvement in the Syrian civil war if President Bashar Assad deployed or used chemical or biological weapons. "That's a red line for us," the president said. "There would be enormous consequences if we start seeing movement on the chemical weapons front, or the use of chemical weapons. That would change my calculations significantly."
But even after Assad used chemical weapons, killing hundreds of Syrian civilians, Obama planned a Rose Garden address in which it was widely expected to announce airstrikes against Assad, Obama instead said he would consult with Congress.
"President Obama vacillated, first indicating that he was prepared to order some strikes, then retreating and agreeing to submit the matter to Congress," according to an early copy of the book purchased by The Associated Press. "The latter was, as he well knew, an almost certain way to scotch any action. By mid-2013, a majority of Congress could not agree on what day of the week it was, much less a resolution authorizing the use of American force in the Middle East.
"The result, I felt, was a blow to American credibility. When the president as commander in chief draws a red line, it is critical that he act if the line is crossed. ... Assad's action clearly defied President Obama's warning."
Panetta's book, "Worthy Fights," is scheduled for release next week.
More: Leon Panetta Criticizes Obama For Sending Wrong Message To The World On Syria
Leon Panetta and other former Obama subordinates show stunning disloyalty - The Washington Post
Once a Republican turncoat - always a Republican turncoat (Panetta was a Republican until 1971).
