"In Afghanistan, 28 million people are free. They have their own president, they have their own parliament. Improved a lot on the streets -- that's been a big success," said Rumsfeld in a recent interview with GQ magazine.

He did concede however that the Iraqi administration 'has not been able to create an environment hospitable to whatever one wants to call their evolving way of life, a democracy or a representative system, or a freer system. And it's going to take some time and some effort."

The former Defence Secretary's tone was belligerent as he glossed over perceived failures to foster stability in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

"In a very real sense, the American military cannot lose a battle, they cannot lose a war," he said.

"On the other hand, they can't win the struggle themselves. It requires diplomacy, it requires economic assistance, it requires a range of things that are well beyond the purview of the Department of Defense."

Rumsfeld had fond words for his former boss, claiming that President Bush 'is a lot more intelligent and curious than people give him credit for.'

When asked if he'd missed Bush, his reply was unambiguous.

"Um, no," he replied.