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Donald Rumsfeld: Decline and Fall

Donald Rumsfeld came to the Pentagon with a plan to transform the Defense Department. Then America went to war with Iraq.

Outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld pauses while making remarks at the Pentagon in December 2006.

Outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld pauses while making remarks at the Pentagon in December 2006.

Matthew Cavanaugh-EPA/Corbis

Rumsfeld and former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara -- pictured here in South Vietnam in July 1965 -- showed similar characteristics in office: keen analytical minds, insatiable appetites for data, predilections for new methods and approaches for problem-solving. Both sought tighter civilian control of the military, and both became embroiled in unpopular wars.

Rumsfeld and former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara -- pictured here in South Vietnam in July 1965 -- showed similar characteristics in office: keen analytical minds, insatiable appetites for data, predilections for new methods and approaches for problem-solving. Both sought tighter civilian control of the military, and both became embroiled in unpopular wars.

Ssgt R. W. Savatt, Jr.-AFP/Getty Images

Rumsfeld, then White House chief of staff, and Richard Cheney, then his deputy, are pictured together at a news conference in 1975. During the news conference, Rumsfeld was named by President Gerald Ford to replace James Schlesinger as defense secretary.

Rumsfeld, then White House chief of staff, and Richard Cheney, then his deputy, are pictured together at a news conference in 1975. During the news conference, Rumsfeld was named by President Gerald Ford to replace James Schlesinger as defense secretary.

Harvey Georges-AP

"He's extraordinarily resilient," says Frank Carlucci, who knew Rumsfeld (pictured here in the dining room of his offices at the Pentagon) during their years at Princeton. "You could bash him all you want, and he'll bounce back right away."

"He's extraordinarily resilient," says Frank Carlucci, who knew Rumsfeld (pictured here in the dining room of his offices at the Pentagon) during their years at Princeton. "You could bash him all you want, and he'll bounce back right away."

Michael Robinson-Chavez-The Washington Post

President George W. Bush with Vice President Richard B. Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on March 13, 2003.

President George W. Bush with Vice President Richard B. Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on March 13, 2003.

Eric Draper-AP

Rumsfeld heads for meetings in Kazakhstan in February 2004.

Rumsfeld heads for meetings in Kazakhstan in February 2004.

David Hume Kennerly-Getty Images

Rumsfeld arrives in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in February 2004.

Rumsfeld arrives in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in February 2004.

David Hume Kennerly-Getty Images

The widely published photo of a hooded Iraqi at Abu Ghraib is held by an Iraqi man who spent time at the prison and says that he is the man in the photo. The question of whether to keep Rumsfeld had dogged President Bush and his senior advisers for months after the image and others went public.

The widely published photo of a hooded Iraqi at Abu Ghraib is held by an Iraqi man who spent time at the prison and says that he is the man in the photo. The question of whether to keep Rumsfeld had dogged President Bush and his senior advisers for months after the image and others went public.

Ron Haviv-VII

Eric Edelman, pictured here in March 2006, says Rumsfeld often sent him to deliver unwelcomed news to Rice.

Eric Edelman, pictured here in March 2006, says Rumsfeld often sent him to deliver unwelcomed news to Rice.

Mark Wilson-Getty Images

The release of a photo of slain al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in June 2006 buoyed hopes of a turning point in Iraq, and Rumsfeld remained wedded to plans to reduce U.S. forces there.

The release of a photo of slain al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in June 2006 buoyed hopes of a turning point in Iraq, and Rumsfeld remained wedded to plans to reduce U.S. forces there.

Wathiq Khuzaie-Getty Images

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a news conference with Rumsfeld in June 2006.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a news conference with Rumsfeld in June 2006.

Brendan Smialowski-Getty Images

Rumsfeld, Bush, Cheney and Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attend a farewell ceremony for Rumsfeld at the Pentagon in December 2006.

Rumsfeld, Bush, Cheney and Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attend a farewell ceremony for Rumsfeld at the Pentagon in December 2006.

Christopher Morris-VII

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during a speech in May. In 2006, Rumsfeld was looking to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, but other administration officials feared such a move would lead to violence that would undermine the new Maliki government.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during a speech in May. In 2006, Rumsfeld was looking to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, but other administration officials feared such a move would lead to violence that would undermine the new Maliki government.

Mohammed Sawaf-AFP/Getty Images

Rumsfeld and wife Joyce arrive at a White House dinner in November 2005.

Rumsfeld and wife Joyce arrive at a White House dinner in November 2005.

Susan Biddle

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This Story Gwen Ifill reviews Donald Rumsfeld's memoir, "Known and Unknown" Article \| By definition, memoirists get to tell their stories the way they remember them. The retellings can be gentle or scorching, illuminating or concealing. Dan Fesperman reviews 'Donald,' by Eric Martin and Stephen Elliott What would the real Rumsfeld think? Rumsfeld remains largely unapologetic in memoir John McCain responds to Rumsfeld memoir: 'Thank God he was relieved of his duties' (video) Decline and Fall Transcript: Donald Rumsfeld's Troubled Reign Donald Rumsfeld: Decline and Fall Donald Rumsfeld quiz: Do you 'Known and Unknown'?		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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