Friday, July 31, 2020

Susan Rice: 20 Things You Probably Didn't Know about Her

In April 1994, Susan Rice was a rising star on the U.S. National Security Council who worked under Richard Clarke.

Nearly 20 years after the Rwandan genocide, Rice would again be in an official position shaping U.S. policy on Africa, and again faced criticism she had softened the U.S. response to mass killings in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kagame's support of violent rebel forces.

Seven: On February 28, 2008, Rice insisted "There had been no contact" between Obama adviser Austan Goolsbee and representatives of the Canadian government.

Eight: On March 6, 2008, in an attempt to defend Barack Obama, Rice said of Obama and Hillary Clinton, "They're both not ready to have that 3 a.m. phone call." She later appeared to downplay the usefulness of official duties in government.

Sixteen: Much of the criticism of Rice in 2012 came as Barack Obama was considering making Rice the next secretary of state; instead, Obama selected John Kerry and later moved Rice to the position of national security adviser.

Environmental groups grumbled somewhat about the prospect of Rice as secretary of state, noting that "According to financial disclosure reports, about a third of Rice's personal net worth is tied up in oil producers, pipeline operators, and related energy industries north of the 49th parallel - including companies with poor environmental and safety records on both U.S. and Canadian soil."

Twenty: In June 2014, defending the Obama administration's deal to secure the release of former Taliban captive Bowe Bergdahl, Rice contended Bergdahl served the United States with "Honor and distinction." Bergdahl was court-martialed for deserting his post, pleaded guilty to charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, and was dishonorably discharged, reduced in rank, and fined $1,000 per month from his pay for ten months, with no prison time.

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