[Peace-discuss] Hagel finnagle

[Carl G. Estabrook]

It's hardly reasonable to think that the appointment of one cabinet secretary is going to change US foreign policy, which has been consistent for decades.

When was the last time that even the election of a new president did so?

(My suggestion would be 1961, and the change was not for the better; there was much trumpeting of change in 1981, but little in practice.)

Change in US foreign policy - as in SE Asia and Latin America - comes from external resistance and/or internal (to the US) opposition. 

Probably both are necessary simultaneously to effect more than an appearance of change in US policy (cf. Iran).

What the consideration of Hagel suggests is what has been the case for some time: viz., 

Israel is less central to US foreign policy planning than some of its friends and some of its enemies think. 

--CGE
 
On Dec 19, 2012, at 11:08 AM, David Green <davegreen84 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> The latest Obama-scam regards the potential nomination of Chuck Hagel for SoD.
>  
> http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/19/us/politics/chuck-hagel-candidate-for-defense-post-criticized-by-jewish-leaders.html
>  
> Mondoweiss is all a-twitter about the Lobby's reaction.
>  
> Hagel is, by and large, a thoroughly establishment figure, with a few off-the-reservation views about Iran and Israel that can be easily finessed.
>  
> But Obama-believers are always looking for a White Knight. And Obama is always willing to encourage their fantasies about him. They think that one person can make a difference. In a way, yes; but USFP is not about one person.
>  
> I don't think Hagel is much more bright than Panetta. And that's a pretty low bar.
>  
> DG
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