Upfront discusses Obama legacy with Derek Chollet

• Says those involved with Obama’s Syria policy “don’t look back with any pride upon what Syria is today”
• Says authorizing use of drones was one the most “difficult issues” Obama had to face
• Expresses concern over President-elect Donald Trump inheriting Obama’s military powers, including the expanded drone program: “It worries me a lot”

Washington, D.C. – 12th, January 2017 - In an interview with Al Jazeera English’s current affairs show UpFront, Derek Chollet, former assistant secretary of defense under U.S. President Barack Obama, speaks about the president’s legacy.

“Those of us who were involved in the making of Syria policy in the last five years don’t look with any pride upon what Syria is today,” Chollet told UpFront host Mehdi Hasan.

“There are many things, as I’ve looked back, that the U.S. could have done differently,” he said.

However, Chollet, who wrote the book The Long Game: How Obama Defied Washington and Redefined America’s Role in the World, did say that the administration’s biggest success on Syria was reducing the Assad government’s stockpile of chemical weapons.

“I think 1,300 tonnes of chemical weapons out of Syria is good for the world, good for us,” he said.

On the subject of the Iran deal, Chollet dismissed claims that the president crafted his Syria policies to accommodate the Iranian government and ensure the Iran deal remains intact.

“I don’t see that, in any way, connected to any of the policy decisions on Syria,” he said.

During the interview, Chollet was also asked about President Obama’s use of drones.

“No question that the use of drones has been one of the more controversial and difficult issues that President Obama’s had to face,” he said.

“He’s used them quite effectively,” he added.

When asked further if he was worried about President-elect Donald Trump inheriting Obama’s military powers, including the expanded drone program, he replied: “It worries me a lot.”

Note to Editors

·         This ‘UpFront’ interview with Derek Chollet is airing Friday January 13th at 19:30GMT.

·         The full show will be available through this link: www.aljazeera.com/upfront from 19:30GMT onwards.

·         If using quotes please credit Al Jazeera English and ‘UpFront’ and please add this link to online copywww.aljazeera.com/upfront

·         UpFront broadcasts on Fridays at 19:30 GMT. Follow ‘UpFront’ on Twitter@AJUpFront