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Episode 9: Trump's war with his generals

As published (Axios - May 16, 2021) - Axios' "Off the Rails" series documents the end of the Trump administration, from election night 2020 through the Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol.


One important piece is only now beginning to emerge: Former President Donald Trump's last-minute bid to pull U.S. forces from Afghanistan and swaths of the Middle East, Africa and even Europe ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration — and why he blinked.


John McEntee, one of Donald Trump's most-favored aides, handed retired Army Col. Douglas Macgregor a piece of paper with a few notes scribbled on it. He explained: "This is what the president wants you to do."


1. Get us out of Afghanistan.

2. Get us out of Iraq and Syria.

3. Complete the withdrawal from Germany.

4. Get us out of Africa.

CNN Wolf Blitzer Interview

19 Apr, 2024
As I told Wolf Blitzer - Israel sent a clear message today: we can strike the interior of Iran if we want and have the will to do so. Last week’s defeat of Iran’s missile strikes was defense; today was deterrence. It’s overdue for the West to unite and compel better behavior from Iran or the cycle continues. Watch the Interview Here.

Conversations with Bill Kristol

17 Apr, 2024
Bill Kristol and I discuss the state of the world. Watch the Interview Here.

Christiane Amanpour Interview

16 Apr, 2024
“Nobody wants a wider regional war. But we arguably are on the precipice of that right now. This could get very big, very quickly,” I said to Christiane Amanpour while I criticized the Biden administration's response, arguing that Israel has to respond. Watch the Interview Here .

CNN Interview with Wolf Biltzer

15 Apr, 2024
Wolf Blitzer and I discuss the ongoing Israel and Iran situation. Watch the Interview Here .

DC Examiner Article by Mike Brest

15 Apr, 2024
"My view is Israel probably has to strike back hard and try to reestablish deterrence and make sure the Iranians know that they can’t strike Israel with 300-plus missiles and drones with impunity," I said to the DC Examiner. Read the Article Here .

Wall Street Journal Article

15 Apr, 2024
Solid piece but for one error: we moved Israel into CENTCOM at end of Trump term for the reasons this conflict is exposing. I had great support from Mike Pompeo to push this. See page 185 of "A Sacred Oath" for the how and why we did this. Read the Article Here .
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