Chuck Hagel For Defense Secretary, John Brennan For CIA
President Barack Obama will nominate Chuck Hagel on Monday as his next defense secretary, and counterterrorism adviser John Brennan to lead the Central Intelligence Agency — two potentially controversial picks for his second-term national security team.
Hagel, a 66-year-old moderate Nebraska Republican, has criticized discussion of a military strike by either the U.S. or Israel against Iran. He also irritated some Israel backers with his reference to the “Jewish lobby” in the United States. And he has backed efforts to bring Iran to the table for future peace talks in Afghanistan.
Brennan, 57, spent a quarter-century at the CIA. He served as station chief in Saudi Arabia and in a variety of posts, including deputy executive director, during the Bush administration. His tenure at the agency during Bush’s presidency drew criticism from liberals when Obama considered naming him CIA director after the 2008 election. Brennan denied being involved in the Bush administration’s enhanced interrogation techniques, but still withdrew his name from consideration.
President Barack Obama will nominate the two, later today, Monday. We will post more on this.