According to an account that Hagel later gave, and is reported here for the first time, he told Obama: “We are at a time where there is a new world order. We don’t control it. You must question everything, every assumption, everything they” — the military and diplomats — “tell you. Any assumption 10 years old is out of date. You need to question our role. You need to question the military. You need to question what are we using the military for.
“Afghanistan will be defining for your presidency in the first term,” Hagel also said, according to his own account, “perhaps even for a second term.” The key was not to get “bogged down.”
Obama did not say much but listened. At the time, Hagel considered Obama a “loner,” inclined to keep a distance and his own counsel. But Hagel’s comments help explain why Obama nominated his former Senate colleague to be his next secretary of defense. The two share similar views and philosophies as the Obama administration attempts to define the role of the United States in the transition to a post-superpower world.
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The bottom line: The United States must get out of these massive land wars — Iraq and Afghanistan — and, if possible, avoid future large-scale war.
Although much discussion of the Hagel nomination has centered on his attitudes about Iran, Israel and the defense budget, Hagel’s broader agreement with Obama on overall philosophy is probably more consequential.Whether this is true or not, I beleive this article was published to call off the Israel supporters who have been pressuring the Senate to reject Hagel. The White House apparently doesn't believe that Hagel is out of the woods yet (and his confirmation hearings have not even started). I look at this story as a false flag, as a White House spin that is trying to make Hagel's life easier.
But read the whole thing.
“We are at a time where there is a new world order." Yup sounds like another 'Thousand year reich' in the make.
ReplyDeleteHagel is about the unraveling of American power projection globally. Since Israel is or was a staunch ally they're bound to feel it first but by no means are they or will they be an isolated case. Every single American ally will be looking over their shoulder as US retreats from the world. And since you can't hurt your enemies you can only hurt your friends. Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Colombia, the Philippines, Israel and other states are all starting to quietly conclude they are on their own. After all, how can Obama's 'Asian Pivot' mean anything when they're busy de-building the Navy which would support it and retreating from the international agreements we once used to justify it. At best, Obama's entire foreign policy vis a vis our current allies consists of vague statements that the "US strongly objects to......" such and such. And that's about it. In fact Libya and Egypt are anomalies not policy. The US got involved in tactical support in Libya because the EU asked them to. The US gave attack helicopters, F-16's and tanks to Egypt because of the implied threat that not doing so would destabilize the country even more - and they still control the Suez Canal.
ReplyDeleteHagel will be brought in to be Obama's hand puppet overseeing massive reductions in the Armed Forces budget, structure, organization and missions.