Hagel "Resigned"

[guido911]

The Sec. of Defense is resigning today--at least that's the story being passed around. I have read there are significant tire marks on Hagel from the bus rolling over him.

[Townsend]

The Sec. of Defense is resigning today--at least that's the story being passed around. I have read there are significant tire marks on Hagel from the bus rolling over him.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Will Step Down

http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/defense-secretary-chuck-hagel-will-step-down

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, the highest profile Republican on President Obama's cabinet, will step down, a defense official tells NPR's Tom Bowman.

The White House says President Obama will make a "personnel announcement" at 11:10 a.m. ET.

Hagel, a two-term Republican Senator, came to this post in February of 2013, the first enlisted combat veteran to lead the Department of Defense.

The New York Times, which first reported the story, says Obama made the decision on Friday after several meetings. The Times adds:

"The officials described Mr. Obama's decision to remove Mr. Hagel, 68, as a recognition that the threat from the Islamic State would require a different kind of skills than those that Mr. Hagel was brought on to employ. A Republican with military experience who was skeptical about the Iraq war, Mr. Hagel came in to manage the Afghanistan combat withdrawal and the shrinking Pentagon budget in the era of budget sequestration.

"But now 'the next couple of years will demand a different kind of focus,' one administration official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. He insisted that Mr. Hagel was not fired, saying that he initiated discussions about his future two weeks ago with the president, and that the two men mutually agreed that it was time for him to leave."

The news comes just as American troops are completing their combat role in Afghanistan and just as the administration announced a new war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Back in October, there were reports from CNN and the New York Times that described a memo written by Hagel in which he criticized the Obama administration's policy toward Syria.

Citing an unnamed senior U.S. official, CNN reported that Hagel told National Security Advisor Susan Rice that "we need to have a sharper view of what to do about the Assad regime."

Publicly, Hagel seemed in lock-step with the Obama administration. During congressional testimony earlier this month, Hagel said the administration's strategy against the Islamic State was making progress.

But he was sober about the mission to equip and train Syrian rebels.

"We know the opposition will continue to face intense pressure in a multi-front battle space, and we are considering options for how U.S. and coalition forces can further support these forces once they are trained and equipped," Hagel said. "Our strategy in Syria will demand time, patience, and perseverance to deliver results. We cannot accomplish our objectives in Syria all at once."

[patric]

... we are considering options for how U.S. and coalition forces can further support these forces once they are trained and equipped," Hagel said.

Like we trained and equipped the Mujaheddin to fight the Soviets by proxy, or the Mexican police to fight the War on Drugs.  That went well.

[RecycleMichael]

In the last 36 years there has been 20 different people serving as Secretary of State. The average term is about 21 months.

Hagel has been in the job 20 months.

This is just one of those jobs that has turnover. Nothing to see here.

[Conan71]

In the last 36 years there has been 20 different people serving as Secretary of State. The average term is about 21 months.

Hagel has been in the job 20 months.

This is just one of those jobs that has turnover. Nothing to see here.

Except Hagel isn't SoS, he's Secretary of Defense.  Thirteen in the last 39 years.  Lower turnover than the SoS job.  Not sure what that means, but there you have it.

[RecycleMichael]

My bad. Thanks for correcting.

[Gaspar]

Hagel put himself in a really bad spot by accepting this post in the first place.  Nothing good could have come from it. Fired or resigned, either way is likely better under this foreign policy agenda.

Top cabinet positions need to work towards a singular purpose with the top executive.  Part of that is contributing as advisors.  It seems that no one was willing to listen to Hagel, so he was marginalized.  I think perhaps Valery Jarrett is really all this president needs.