US presidential candidate Donald Trump has told a TV forum that Russia's president is "far more" of a leader than Obama. He also said the US military had been "reduced to rubble" under the current leadership.
The Republican nominee repeated his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin Wednesday during the televised forum, where he and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton were each given 30 minutes to field questions on national security and the military.
The Kremlin strongman is "very much of a leader," Trump said, and "has very strong control over a country."
Donald Trump praises Russian leadership
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Describing Russian democracy as "a very different system," which the US billionaire said he didn't particularly like. "But certainly in that system, he's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader."
Trump vowed to demand a plan from US military leaders to defeat the "Islamic State" (IS) extremist group within 30 days of taking office.
He accused the Obama administration of undermining the military, after being questioned about his harsh criticism of the country's current army chiefs.
Image: Getty Images/J. Sullivan
"I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point that's embarrassing for our country," Trump said, in front of an audience of military veterans.
Back-to-back interviews
Not to be confused with the leadership debates - the first of which takes place on September 26 - Wednesday's forum saw each candidate grilled separately. The interviews were held aboard the historic aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid, docked off New York City.
Clinton, who was interviewed first, faced more questions over the email scandal, following revelations she handled government emails on a private server while secretary of state.
Clinton confronts E-Mail questions
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"It was a mistake to have a personal account. I would certainly not do it again. I make no excuses for it," Clinton responded, stressing she had not improperly handled classified information.
Clinton vowed not to send US ground troops to fight IS in Iraq or Syria, while highlighting her national security experience compared to Trump's unpredictability in the face of the terrorism threat.
She said she had "an absolute rock steadiness" to be able to make tough decisions.
Wednesday's forum was the first time the pair had squared off on the same stage since accepting their parties' presidential nominations in July for the November 8 election.
Trump returns to hardline position on illegal immigration
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mm/jil (AP, AFP, Reuters)
Trump's unpopular buildings around the world
Donald Trump's massive real estate portfolio has brought the Republican presidential nominee plenty of cash - but also headaches. DW takes a critical look at some of the billionaire's buildings around the world.
Image: Getty Images/O.Kose
Casting a long shadow in Las Vegas
The Democrats had to hold their first TV debate literally in Trump's shadow in October 2015. With the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Las Vegas towering over the luxury Wynn resort, where the TV event took place, the Republican presidential hopeful made sure that his name still got some of the attention. The Trump complex in Las Vegas is the third tallest building in town.
Image: Getty Images/J.Raedle
Opposition in Chicago
Many people in Chicago expressed their opposition to Trump's name being featured on the Trump Hotel and Tower there. Mayor Rahm Emanuel even called it "tacky and tasteless" and tried to have the letters banned. However, five years later, Donald Trump finally managed to get his name in letters across the 16th floor. The building occupies the previous site of the Chicago Sun Times.
Image: Getty Images/S. Olson
Scandal in Atlantic City
The Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey, was completed in 1990 at a total cost of nearly $1 billion. Donald Trump was at the helm of the casino cum hotel for almost 25 years when it came to the brink of bankruptcy in 2014. It was taken over by Icahn Enterprises, but kept the Trump branding. Its sister hotel Trump Plaza, located on the same strip, did eventually close due to insolvency.
Image: Getty Images/W.T.Cain
Towering over the streets of Manhattan
Trump Tower in New York is rumored to be Donald Trump's pride and joy. The Fifth Avenue address in Manhattan does not only provide headquarters for Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, but also features some well-known tenants, including soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo, actor Bruce Willis and musical theater composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber. Trump and his family also reside in the luxury tower.
Image: picture-alliance/AA
A controversial New York landmark
With an airy atrium occupying six floors and a great deal of marble and gold detail, some New Yorkers consider Trump Tower on 725 Fifth Avenue in bad taste, while others see it as elegant and timeless. With its interiors designed by Edward Barnes Larrabe and the exteriors built by Der Scutt, Trump Tower has become a magnet for aficionados of contemporary architecture - as well as for Trump fans.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S.Reboredo
Rags and riches in Panama City
The Trump Ocean Club in Panama City features a hotel, 700 apartments and its very own yacht club. The tallest building in Latin America is recognized throughout the region for its iconic shape. The tower has attracted criticism for neighboring a poverty-ridden slum, making it difficult to find tenants. But Trump had just sold his name to developer Roger Khafif, so he hasn't lost money on it.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/R. Arangua
Scottish resistance
Though he did build the "world's greatest golf course" - as Trump refers to his Trump International Golf Links estate near Aberdeen, Scotland - it was held up by local farmer Michael Forbes, who to this day refuses to sell his land bordering the lavish resort to the property mogul. Visiting the golf resort in June, Trump praised the UK's Brexit vote - ignoring Scotland's vote to remain in the EU.
Image: Getty Images/J.-J. Mitchell
Erdogan versus Trump
Trump Towers Istanbul are the first Trump buildings in Europe and have become famous for their massive wine cellar. But there have been calls to remove Trump's name from the skyscraper, which he only licenses out to the owner of the complex, Turkish billionaire Aydin Dogan; Trump's remarks about Islam have alienated many Muslims in Turkey, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan himself.
