“My concern in terms of this relationship of the White House and the military is not on the big issues,” Gates told an audience at the presidential foundation in Simi Valley, California. “It's in the increasing desire of the White House to control and manage every aspect of military affairs.”

He compared the Obama administration to that of Lyndon Johnson, who personally chose military targets in the Vietnam war. “It was the micromanagement that drove me crazy,” Gates said. The former defence chief said that Obama's administration stands in contrast to both Bush administrations, where once a decision was made, there was no micromanagement.