Surprise! Iran Thrilled By Chuck Hagel Nomination

A Secretary of Defense who’s soft on Iran and an Israel hater would match his boss

(CBS News) Iran’s Foreign Ministry says it is hopeful the appointment of former Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel to lead the Pentagon would improve relations between Tehran and the U.S.

Asked about Hagel’s nomination, ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Tuesday that Tehran was hopeful that there would be “practical changes” to U.S. foreign policy, and that nations would change their attitude towards the U.S. if it respected their rights.

Hagel’s nomination is causing jitters in Israel, on the other hand, where some view the former Nebraska senator as unsympathetic or even hostile.

This is typical of the political Left both in the United States and around the world, who would like to see Israel reduced back to the 1967 borders, if not totally eliminated, and often seem to see Iran as little darlings who are completely misunderstood. Iran with nukes? Bah. Stop looking under you bed for the boogeyman.

Hagel further refused to sign a letter asking the EU to designate Hezbollah a terrorist nation, and wanted to treat Hamas, a known and violent Islamist terrorist group, “pragmatically”.

On the notion of Hagel being anti-gay, there is disagreement. The Log Cabin Republicans are at odds with GOProud. I’m on the side of GOProud, I don’t see one comment as being anti-gay. But, consider if Hagel was being appointed by a Republican president: do you think the Liberals and Progressives would be up in arms over saying ““openly and aggressively gay” about another appointee? Instead, the vast majority on the left are ignoring the issue.

It’s his views on Islamists that is most troubling: he’s soft. He’s soft on Iran and terrorist groups. He also wants to cut the military to the bone. Granted, we need cuts. There is no need for so many over-seas bases post-cold war. Nor as many big weapons programs in the new paradigm of fighting terrorism. But, Hagel doesn’t have the experience to run the Pentagon.

Hagel’s nomination goes hand in hand with that of John Brennan for CIA director, whom Powerline terms an Arabist, partly due to his own anti-Israel leanings.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove. Follow me on Twitter @WilliamTeach.

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