If you are Iran, you might give a sigh of relief. Peace loving, freedom loving, war hating Chuck Hagel is now Defense Secretary as soon as he is sworn in. If you are Israel, you might expect rough going.
The reality is, this is President Obama’s administration and his foreign policy that will be implemented via John Kerry, Secretary of State and Chuck Hagel.
Obama has shown backbone against terrorists, yet he also knows that America cannot afford foreign policy that leads to protracted war and nation building.
As for Iran, contemplate this, if you make America fly over to reduce nuclear plants to rubble, we’re not fixing the results from destruction that will be far more than physical. Americans will not rebuild another enemy anytime soon.
Chuck Hagel’s battles in the near term will be about the Defense budget and programs that garner Congressional interest. Expect Hagel to exercise independent judgment about department priorities.
Don’t underestimate Hagel’s ability to gain a close working relationship with the military command. In the end, none want more wars right now, but they would like the resources to refresh and retrain. That means, the new technology development budget may take a hit.
“Hagel Confirmed As Defense Secretary
by Ali Gharib Feb 26, 2013 6:30 PM EST"In the eight weeks since being nominated to be Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel endured as Republicans in the Senate and their allies in the right-wing press lobbed unfounded accusation after unfounded accusation at him. Today, the campaign to unseat Barack Obama's pick came to an end, as 71 Senators agreed to break the filibuster and give Hagel an up-or-down vote. Some four and a half hours later, 58 of them voted to confirm him as the nation's 24th Secretary of Defense. A two-time recipient of the Purple Heart for his service in the Vietnam War, Hagel will become the first enlisted man to serve in the position, after a career in the private sector that brought him personal wealth and another one in public service that saw him serve two-terms in the Senate as a Republican from Nebraska.
From the moment he volunteered for military service in Vietnam, Chuck has devoted his life to keeping America secure and our armed forces strong. An American patriot who fought and bled for our country, he understands our sacred obligations to our service members, military families and veterans," said Obama in a statement. "I will be counting on Chuck’s judgment and counsel as we end the war in Afghanistan, bring our troops home, stay ready to meet the threats of our time and keep our military the finest fighting force in the world."
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/26/hagel-confirmed-as-defense-secretary.html
Comments