Former US secretary of defence\'s book sparks debate in USA

Former US Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates' book sparked a debate in United States, ensuring the contents remained on top of the country's political agenda with its harsh criticism over President Barack Obama and the US Congress. The book called "Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War" turned the American agenda upside down before being released on January 14. In the book it is claimed that Gates criticizes the US President Barack Obama and questions Obama's leadership and actions in the US mission to Afghanistan saying that Obama did not believe in his strategy and did not regard the war as his, resulting in Obama's attitude of getting out of Afghanistan. Gates also puts the blame on Joe Biden, Vice President of the Uniited States since Biden defames the leadership of the US army. He also describes the US Congress as "crooked, selfish and narrow minded." White House Press Secretary Jay Carney in defense of the US Congress said that the debate on the Afghanistan issue was nothing new, moreover the US President purposely formed a team composed of individuals with diverse opinions. While Carney stressed that he believed in the mission in Afghanistan, he disagreed with Gates in his opinions over Vice President Joe Biden and said that he held Biden in high esteem and valued his advice. Bill Daley, the White House Chief of Staff during the time Gates held his post, surmised that "it was unfortunate to write a book in a hurry..." and "Frankly, this harms the country", he added.