Is the nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary a message to anyone in particular? That has been a matter of debate for weeks, and despite myriad different answers from different analysts, Israelis see the message aimed squarely at Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Of course Israeli analysts tend to see everything as centering on them, but the case is made that Netanyahu is eager as ever to launch a war with Iran, and that Hagel’s past comments on war being a “last resort” might keep him away from a hasty attack after the January election.
Publicly Israeli officials have denied any opposition, but some have conceded being “concerned” by the nomination, even as Hagel struggles to deal with allegations of anti-semitism based on his presumptive reluctance to start a huge new war on Netanyahu’s say-so.
It’s just one of many theories on the nomination, but it appears to also have some currency in Iran, where foreign ministry officials are welcoming the Hagel nomination and expressing hope that it means “practical changes” to US aggression toward Iran.
Hagel is exactly what is right in America! We need more Hagels and less Schumers
I think it interesting that since Netanyahoo was basically slapped down by the results of the US election (HIS candidate Romney's big loss) that Netanyahoo has been eerily quiet, relatively speaking, regarding the Hagel nomination. There have been a couple of statements from Israeli underlings but little from Bibi. Is that because he is focusing his efforts back-channel to his stooges in the US Congress – the Israeli-Firsters? You know, the ones who are so vocally denigrating Hagel and claiming they have "problems" with the nomination and Hagel's positions toward Israel.
I wonder if that is because if Hagel is confirmed a vocal Netanyahoo, again, loses face for not being able to manipulate the American President he alludes to control?
Meanwhile the neocon mouthpieces continue to rant: David Senor on Morning Joe looking like a panicked grasshopper, Steven Hayes on Fox deperately throwing anything he could think of, and Danielle Pletka on NPR in a strident, senseless tirade. The man behind the curtain has been exposed and it isn't pretty.