Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates criticized American political leaders for inadequately educating the public on the importance of foreign policy issues and their impact on the U.S.
During a Sunday interview, Gates emphasized the need for better public understanding, highlighting the crucial role of foreign policy in domestic affairs, Daily Wire reported.
Gates, who served under President Barack Obama, expressed concern over the general public's understanding of international threats. He stressed that historical negligence in this area has often resulted in American casualties.
“I think our leaders need to bring these issues home to the American people in a very direct way,” Gates remarked, highlighting the disconnect between foreign threats and public perception.
"So the first thing is to make clear that if we don’t deal with these problems early, they become very dangerous problems and very costly problems for the United States down the road," he continued.
The former defense secretary pointed to the global economy's intertwined nature, noting how disturbances abroad can have immediate, stark impacts on the U.S. economy.
Gates suggested a new approach to making economic data more accessible, which could illuminate the extent to which local economies are entwined with global commerce.
He explained:
I’ve always thought we made a big mistake in not having data available where you could go into a congressional district and say, ‘Do you realize how much of the economy of your county or your town depends on exports or imports around the world because our economy is so integrated?’
He argues that such insights could make international economics a tangible part of everyday discussions at Americans' kitchen tables.
“Using historical examples about how our delaying taking seriously foreign threats, has ultimately resulted in the deaths of thousands and thousands of Americans – young men and women in conflict.
The world isn’t going to ignore us just because we think we can ignore the world,” he added, advocating for a proactive stance in foreign policy education.
Gates' remarks underscore the vital need for informed public discussions about the significant impact of foreign policy decisions on domestic well-being.
He believes educating the American public on these issues can safeguard national interests and prevent future conflicts and economic difficulties. Gates emphasizes making these issues relatable to everyday life to help people understand their direct effects on households.
