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International impact of Petraeus, Allen investigations

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    Amb. John Bolton weighs in

  • Duration 4:33
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New fallout from the scandal involving former CIA chief General David Petraeus and the impact now felt really around the world this is secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

And -- as secretary of defense Leon Panetta.

Both say -- NATO allies aren't worried that this investigation will hurt our mission in Afghanistan anyway joining us now John Bolton former US ambassador to the UN.

And a Fox News contributor -- nice to see you again.

Good morning glad to -- with -- again and let's talk about.

White Hillary Clinton and Leon Panetta had to say -- in based on your experience overall ambassador what if any.

Are the effects a personal scandal.

In international relations is there any sort of fallout that we should be watching.

Well I think there can be fallout but at this point I think it be premature word it to jump to any conclusions because they.

The circumstances were talking about -- are not fooling -- -- I think that one of the reasons that secretary Panetta in particular.

Has been at pains to say the general Allen still has.

His his confidence even though his nomination to head up the European Command has been put on hold is because he's still in theater in Afghanistan I think.

General Petraeus has problems are a little bit more remote.

Although they -- could have an impact depending on what else comes out about perhaps breaches of security of documents and things given to.

The bladed the general is having his fairway.

And that remains to be seen -- -- take a step back and look at this picture overall we ever to top general military officials.

At a time of war either under investigation or have had been under investigation we have our.

Our secretary of state in our Defense Secretary abroad in Australia.

At this time.

You know what do you think is the message that that is being sent about American leadership overall.

Well unfortunately I think it's the same message that's been sent for much of the past four years I just don't think.

The president has demonstrated the the extent of involvement interest even and focus and attention.

That a president should display toward threats to national security.

Yeah it's been a very passive lackadaisical administration not concerned with.

Threats around the world except when it had no choice to confront them.

And I think this disarray unfortunately is is not on typical of the administration -- a hole and I think what.

Could worry our friends and analyzes this is what we've seen for four years this is what we're gonna see for four more years.

That said the president is holding his first news conference today if you will he can -- sat.

What his next four years will look like.

What do you think hit his message should be not only to the country but to the world about the events of the last the last week -- so.

Well I think he needs to demonstrate that he's on top of things presumably he has some explanation why he didn't hear about the Petraeus affair.

I even though his attorney general Eric Holder was told about it in the late summer.

And he needs to be able to demonstrate that he's gonna move quickly to nominate a successor to General Petraeus to help get the CIA back in order and he's -- to figure out.

What he's going to do with the nomination of general Allen which in many respects having gone public with the -- potential problem there is is just inexplicable if they had a problem.

They -- resolved that quickly without going public but he's gonna have to answer for that to them.

An -- where Secretary Clinton secretary Panetta are today in the meantime -- getting all these different reports that.

Potentially Senator Kerry to be rumored to be the next Defense Secretary and Susan Rice still being potentially considered for the secretary.

-- state your thoughts on either.

Of those individuals taking a more prominent role and the president's cabinet.

Let me first say a word in defense of Secretary Clinton secretary Panetta being in Australia this is for an annual meeting it's called the awesome man.

That we have and I think it's very important that we that we demonstrate solidarity with the Australian so the fact they're out of town shouldn't be concerning.

On these potential nominations I have to say I've I've clashed with Senator Kerry many times over the years on policy but I have to say and all those years.

I've never seen him demonstrate the slightest interest in going to the Defense Department.

I think he clearly wants to be secretary of state and it may be that the president's decided he wants Susan Rice to have that job and he's giving Senator Kerry the Defense Department.

As a consolation prize which would not be -- a terribly good signal.

And that's fair answer is that having on the program thank you so much.

Thank you --

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