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| Pentagon's New Chief: U.S. 'Can't Dictate' to the World |
| 2013-02-28 |
| [An Nahar] America cannot "dictate to the world" and must work with allies and build relationships with other nations, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said shortly after being sworn in Wednesday as the new Pentagon chief. On his first day at the job, Hagel reinforced his reputation as a reluctant warrior as he told an auditorium of civilian officials and military officers that America was a powerful country but could not accomplish its goals without forging strong alliances. "I've always believed that America's role in the world ... has been one that should engage the world. We can't dictate to the world. But we must engage in the world," Hagel said. "No nation, as great as America is, can do this on their own. We need to continue to build on the strong relationships that we have built." Defense secretaries often adopt a tough tone to signal resolve to America's adversaries, but Hagel's comments echoed President Barack Obama Why can't I just eat my waffle?... 's emphasis on extricating the country from a decade of ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. troops have pulled out of Iraq in 2011 and roughly 66,000 American forces are due to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, a drawdown that Hagel will be charged with overseeing. Hagel told the Pentagon audience that the United States was ultimately a force "for good" but had a duty to exercise its power with care. "We make mistakes. We've made mistakes. We'll continue to make mistakes. But we are a force for good," he said. Hagel, an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war during George W. Bush's presidency, added that "we have great power, and how we apply our power is particularly important. "That engagement in the world should be done wisely." Hagel, 66, took his oath of office at about 8:30 am (1330 GMT) at the Pentagon as his wife looked on, becoming the first combat veteran from the Vietnam conflict to take up the post. In his remarks to Pentagon employees, Hagel spoke without notes and struck an upbeat tone despite a nasty debate in the Senate over his nomination that saw him struggle to win enough votes for confirmation. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #9 "We make mistakes. We've made mistakes. We'll continue to make mistakes. But we are a force for good," he said. In the Navy, in the Navy. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2013-02-28 16:29 |
| #8 "On his first day at the job, Hagel reinforced his reputation as a reluctant warrior as he told an auditorium of civilian officials and military officers that America was a powerful country but could not accomplish its goals without forging strong alliances." "and so, I am establishing military ties to Iran and North Korea, with technology sharing" |
| Posted by: Frank G 2013-02-28 09:50 |
| #7 The left like to "forget" events that contract their narrative. |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2013-02-28 09:41 |
| #6 History gives you two choices - either you influence events or events influence you. How quickly they forget 9/11. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2013-02-28 09:01 |
| #5 ....Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand we're done. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2013-02-28 05:50 |
| #4 "We make mistakes. We've made mistakes. We'll continue to make mistakes. But we are a force for good," he said. He's certainly memorized the script. The apology tour is rolling once again. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-02-28 03:16 |
| #3 I wish to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman in #1 - but with more spittle and an brain-numbing face palm. How many more days? |
| Posted by: SteveS 2013-02-28 00:49 |
| #2 Barry, Kerry,Holder, this guy...no wonder everybody's buying guns. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2013-02-28 00:41 |
| #1 The f*cker's an embarrassment already. |
| Posted by: badanov 2013-02-28 00:39 |