Spionen Efterf?lger Bulldozeren (The Spy Replacing the Bulldozer).
Op-Ed, Nyhedsavisen, (Denmark)
November 13, 2006
Author: Rasmus Bertelsen, Former Research Fellow, Dubai Initiative, 2008–2009; Former Research Fellow, Science, Technology, and Public Policy, 2006–2008.
Belfer Center Programs or Projects: International Security
This op-ed was originally published in Danish. A summary in English follows.
The USA replaced its Secretary of Defence, whose worldviews have been very influential. The background and experiences of decision makers influence their perceptions and choices. The background and experiences of the incoming Secretrary of Defence, Robert Gates, therefore merits attention. Donald Rumsfeld had a prominent career in American business and politics, especially under Presidents Nixon and Ford who tried to avoid defeat in Vietnam. Robert Gates had a long career in the CIA, where two aspects should be noted, the accusations of politicised analysis (which hopefully is a thing of the past) and his inscrutable connections with Iran and Iraq from the Iran-Contra affair, US intelligence support of Saddam Hussein, the 1991 Gulf War, Council on Foreign Relations studies on Iran, and latest the Baker-Hamilton Commission. Gates' autobiography is called 'From the Shadows', and his appointment may indicate meeting Iran in this shadow world of the spies.
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