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Episode 284: Need to Know? Or Need to Share? Secretary of Defense Austin’s Hospitalization.
Episode 284

Episode 284: Need to Know? Or Need to Share? Secretary of Defense Austin’s Hospitalization.

Fault Lines · National Security Institute

January 8, 20248m 42s

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Show Notes

Today, Jamil, Jess, and Les discuss U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s recent hospitalization and the breakdown of communication that had President Biden, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Secretary Austin’s own Deputy Kathleen Hicks, who was on vacation, out of the loop. Sec. Austin’s absence occurred as the U.S. and its allies gave an ultimatum to Houthi rebels, as well as conducted a successful airstrike on the headquarters of an Iran-backed militia in central Baghdad.


Is the Secretary of Defense out of the Biden Administration’s decision-making loop? Why were key administration and Pentagon officials left in the dark over the Secretary’s hospitalization? Who ultimately should be held responsible for this breakdown?  


Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!



https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/07/politics/austin-hospitalization-leaders-not-informed/index.html 


https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96 


https://www.reuters.com/world/us/top-military-officials-were-initially-unaware-austins-hospitalization-media-2024-01-07/ 


https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/06/pentagon-took-3-days-to-inform-white-houses-nsc-of-austins-hospitalization-00134176


https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3633506/statement-by-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-medical-care/ 


Follow our experts on Twitter: 


@lestermunson


@jamil_n_jaffer


@notTVJessJones


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