Hagel departure will boost anti-Assad drive: Analyst
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
Mon Nov 24, 2014 7:38PM GMT
An
American foreign policy expert says US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s
departure will strengthen administration officials who want to implement
a regime change in Syria.
James George Jatras, former US Senate foreign policy analyst, made
the remarks on Monday while commenting on Hagel’s resignation, which was
reportedly taken under pressure.“I think with his departure that those who are in favor of trying to remove [Syrian President Bashar] Assad will gather strength and that we will see some shift in that direction in the near future,” Jatras said.
He added, “That’s not entirely clear at this point but that seems likely especially given what the confirmation process for a new secretary is going to look like in front of the Republican Senate.”
The Republican Party has not only captured a majority in the Senate in the November 4 midterm elections, but it has achieved a historic victory in the House. Republicans will take control of the entire Congress in January.
President Barack Obama announced Hagel’s resignation at a White House event on Monday, flanked by Hagel, who will remain in the job until Obama can pick a replacement, who must also be confirmed by the Senate.
“There’s a great deal of speculation that Mr. Hagel was in fact forced out of the administration. I think this comes at a time when the Obama administration is facing failures on every front, in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and that some shakeup was perceived to be necessary,” Jatras said. “It’s unclear what direction that will take, but it seems one of the primary shifts may be on the question of Syria.”
“Several weeks ago Mr. Hagel sent a memo to Obama suggesting that they needed to clarify how they are going to look at the Assad regime [sic],” he noted.
Hagel was reportedly critical of the US war in Afghanistan and Washington’s strategy against the ISIL terrorist group in Iraq and Syria.
AN/GJH