"The defence secretary’s nomination - Hagelian dialectic" at the Economist
The defence secretarys nomination - Hagelian dialectic
at the Economist
http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21571885-far-scholarly-process-hagelian-dialectic
"SNIP...............................................
AT A perilous moment of transition for Americas armed services, involving departure from Afghanistan, looming budget cuts and significant worldwide tension, the Pentagon is set to receive a civilian leader weakened by partisan attacks and doubts about his willingness to see military power used. As The Economist went to press, Barack Obamas nominee for secretary of defence, Chuck Hagel, seemed likely, though not certain, to earn the Senates grudging endorsement.
Many attacks on Mr Hagela former Republican senator treated as an apostate after he turned against the Iraq war, opposed unilateral sanctions on Iran and criticised the influence of pro-Israel groups in Washingtonhave been over the top. On February 12th the Senate Armed Services Committee divided along party lines, with Democrats outvoting Republicans by 14 votes to 11 to send Mr Hagels nomination to the full Senate. Normally defence secretaries are given bipartisan support.
A Texas Republican,
Ted Cruz, speculated at that meetingwithout evidencethat if Mr Hagel could not provide the ultimate source of speaking fees received in recent years, it was relevant to wonder if the cash came from anti-Israel extremists, or directly from North Korea. The top Republican on the committee, James Inhofe of Oklahoma, endorsed critics who have called Mr Hagel cosy with terrorist states, citing reports that Iranian officials had voiced support for his appointment.
..............................................SNIP"