Chuck Hagel to Co-Chair Obama's Intel Advisory Board

Former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel gave an outstanding speech outlining the imperative of American leadership in the Israel-Palestine dispute at the J Street Annual Conference Gala Dinner last night.

I had the privilege of moderating the discussion and having an exchange about US foreign policy with the Senator who teaches at Georgetown University and now chairs the Atlantic Council of the United States.

During my own remarks, which I offered humorously wearing a "Joe Biden mask" (long story ... for later), I announced that Chuck Hagel would soon be officially announced as the new chair of the President's Federal Intelligence Advisory Board, a post that has recently been held by Stephen Friedman, former NY Federal Reserve Board Governor and national economic adviser to President George W. Bush.

Former US Senator and Oklahoma University President David Boren will serve as co-chair with Hagel of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board.

Previously, Brent Scowcroft, Les Aspin and former House Speaker and US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Foley chaired this intelligence advisory body.

Hagel is also scheduled to meet President Obama today in the White House.

This is a great move. Hagel represents the brand of pragmatic Republican national security decisionmaking that President Obama needs to hear much more from.

-- Steve Clemons publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note

 

 

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Comments

[Bailey Reynolds]

Good to know! I had hoped Obama would choose him to be his Sec. Defense. This'll work. Hagel's a good guy and knows his stuff.

[TN60]

I always thought Hagel would make a good DefSec. He seems to have good sense on all the war games of Bush. He never toed the line like the other good little goose steppers when it came to Bush and critized him on many fronts.

Maybe he can talk our President into shutting down both these miserable wars and bring our troops home. After all, he has been there, done that....In Vietnam.

[kimk3]

Maybe Chuck Hagel can tell Obama about his giant conflict of interest as he did own ES&S, the largest voting machine company, that counted the votes that elected Hagel. Not sure if he still has an interest in ES&S.

[silverball]

...i hope he knows how to convince obama to get out of afghanistan....we are going down the hole and it's not pretty or very realistic..a lose, lose situation....