Why Hagel’s foreign policy views matter
Savor that, “As head of the Pentagon, Hagel would not determine foreign policy.” No, he would not. But he would have substantial control over the information, advice, and policy options available to the person who does determine foreign policy.
Suppose a president were to request an assessment of a hypothetical strike on Iran. Suppose the secretary of defense delivers to him a plan requiring the insertion of US ground forces into Iranian cities to be sure of destroying relevant facilities. That “plan” is as much a veto of a strike as any decision.
Donald Rumsfeld enabled the Iraq war by producing estimates it could be won with as few as 135,000 troops. Had he instead on 300,000, the war would not have occurred: it would have seemed too heavy a lift. (As indeed it proved.)
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Hold on… David Frum is against the Hagel nomination? Looks like Hagel is my guy.
rndmusrnm on January 8, 2013 at 7:20 PM
The too heavy war lasted less than 5 years. Support for what was a in fact a light footprint war lasted less than 3 years. If 300,000 troops had been used the insurgency would have responded with equal vigor and support for the war would have ended a lot sooner than 3 years.
As for the enemy, 3 years is but the blinking of an eye. The Islamists clearly have the advantage.
Basilsbest on January 8, 2013 at 7:26 PM
Why? Because he’ll be forcing Israel to take matters into their own hands because he and this president will abandon them, that’s why.
Warner Todd Huston on January 8, 2013 at 7:34 PM
I’ve read the title to this story. Let me fix that for you and then I’ll move on to reading something else.
besser tot als rot on January 8, 2013 at 7:53 PM
BAH! I guess that Preview button is there for a reason.
besser tot als rot on January 8, 2013 at 7:54 PM
Well, they matter as a reflection of the views of the person whose views do matter, but there’s nothing to be done about that now.
America will need an extremely unlikely stroke of fortune to pull out of the dependency->Democrat->debt-> cycle before it’s too late; the world is on its own.
HitNRun on January 8, 2013 at 8:02 PM