Chuck Hagel: Nominee, Secretary of Defense
Having Chuck Hagel (age: 66), an Obama
confidante, at the head of the Pentagon is intended largely to
provide political cover to end combat operations in
Afghanistan and to begin to implement deep Pentagon budget cuts.
Hagel is chair of the Atlantic Council and
member of Obama’s Intelligence Advisory Board. He was formerly a Republican
senator from Nebraska (1997-2009) and head of an investment banking firm. A
two-time Purple Heart recipient, he would be the first Vietnam veteran
to serve as Secretary of Defense. Hagel is known – and disparaged by
many Republicans – for his independence vis-à-vis party orthodoxy on
foreign policy issues and for holding views considered to be views outside of
the conservative mainstream (ex. opposition to Iraq troop surge). Indeed, the
vivid battle over his nomination has already begun among
prominent Republicans, neoconservatives, Democrats, and pro-Israeli
groups.
Opposition to Hagel is tri-fold. He has
encountered major criticism for past statements about the
pro-Israel lobby”: “[It] intimidates a lot of people around here. I havealways argued against some of the dumb things they do because I don't thinkit's [...] smart for Israel.” He has refused to add his signature to letters
circulated around DC by AIPAC. Although Hagel has considerably better relations
with other arms of said lobby (J-Street, Israel Policy Forum), and the support
of heavyweights like Zbigniew Brzezinski, Brent Scowcroft, and most
former US ambassadors to Israel, hardliners believe he will antagonize
Israel. And to the contrary of the president, Hagel opposes
sanctions against Iran, favors negotiations with Hamas and Iran, and
has criticized the largesse of America’s defense spending.
Democratic opposition to Hagel centers
mainly around a negative remark made about a gay colleague a decade ago. He has
since apologized for the comment and has publicly stated his support
for openly gay military service.
That Hagel personally knows war and has
shown no reserve in expressing his reluctance to go to war may well have an impact abroad (US approach to
Iran, willingness to align with Israel’s policies) as well as “at home”
(increased attention to returned soldiers).
It is thought that Democrats will ultimately support the President’s choice and that Republicans
will find it difficult to confront the potential backlash of opposing a
decorated Vietnam War hero. But if Hagel wins a bitter nomination fight,
Republicans may consider him weak and show less flexibility in cutting a deal to
prevent the sequester from taking effect in late February.
John Brennan: Nominee, Director of CIA
Current Deputy NSA for
Homeland Security and Counterterrorism and close
confidante of Obama, John Brennan (age: 57) is a career CIA
agent who has been party to nearly every national security question
issue in the Obama administration (including the raid on Bin Laden). Brennan
was considered for the job of CIA director in 2008, but withdrew his name for
consideration after facing accusations over past public support for
“enhanced interrogation techniques” and sending prisoners to countries where torture might occur. Detractors insist that as a high-ranking official inBush’ CIA, Brennan condoned tactics like waterboarding that are considered torturous.
In 2009, he condemned such practices.
A primary question elicited by this pick is whether the CIA will maintain, reinforce even, its current place at the heart of counter-terror operations, or if Brennan will usher it back to its traditional espionage capacities.
A primary question elicited by this pick is whether the CIA will maintain, reinforce even, its current place at the heart of counter-terror operations, or if Brennan will usher it back to its traditional espionage capacities.
During his 25 years at the CIA, Brennan
exercised a wide variety of functions, including the post of station
chief in Saudi Arabia. Following his time in government, Brennan was head
of a security consultancy, The Analysis Corporation, as well as
chair of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance, and the director of
the National Counterterrorism Center. Brennan speaks fluent Arabic.
Related Reading
Obama’s Nominations of Hagel and Brennan Signal Course Adjustments at Pentagon and CIA (WaPo)
Brennan Pick Revives Leaks Dispute (Politico)
Related Reading
Obama’s Nominations of Hagel and Brennan Signal Course Adjustments at Pentagon and CIA (WaPo)
Brennan Pick Revives Leaks Dispute (Politico)
