We turn now to look at Donald Trump and his military generals. Trump has nominated retired Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis as defense secretary. The Obama administration cut short his tour over concerns Mattis was too hawkish on Iran. Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly has been nominated homeland security secretary, and retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn has been appointed national security adviser. Flynn is well known for his anti-Muslim worldview, having called Islam a “cancer” and saying “fear of Muslims is rational.” For more, we speak with Andrew Bacevich, a retired colonel and Vietnam War veteran. His latest book is titled America’s War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History. He is professor emeritus of international relations and history at Boston University.
TRANSCRIPT
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JUAN GONZÁLEZ: We turn now to look at Donald Trump and his military generals.
DONALD TRUMP: I know more about ISIS than the generals do, believe me.
JUAN GONZÁLEZ: That was Donald Trump on the campaign trail. It was just one of several times where he publicly criticized the actions of US generals. But now that he’s become president-elect, Trump has taken a different tack, by picking generals for several key posts. Trump has nominated retired General James “Mad Dog” Mattis as defense secretary. The Obama adminstration cut short his tour over concerns Mattis was too hawkish on Iran. Retired Marine General John Kelly has been nominated homeland security secretary, and retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn has been appointed national security adviser. Flynn is well known for his anti-Muslim worldview, having called Islam a “cancer” and saying, quote, “fear of Muslims is rational.”
AMY GOODMAN: Well, for more, we’re joined by Andrew Bacevich, a retired colonel, Vietnam War veteran. His latest book, America’s War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History. He’s professor emeritus of international relations and history at Boston…