Panetta writes that Obama was not forceful enough to try to keep a residual force in Iraq . The president has said he will leave the decision on troop levels for his successor. A U.S. presence in Iraq might have prevented ISIS 's growth , Panetta said . The portrait Panetta sketches of Obama sometimes looks more like a professor than a President . `` He relies on the logic of his presentation , with the hope that ultimately people will embrace that logic and then do what 's right , '' he said . Panetta also describes a President of half-steps and hesitation when it came to Syria .
Panetta writes that Obama was not forceful enough to try to keep a residual force in Iraq . The president has said he will leave the decision on troop levels for his successor. A U.S. presence in Iraq might have prevented ISIS 's growth , Panetta said . Panetta also describes a President of half-steps and hesitation when it came to Syria .