Former SECDEF Hagel is in the news again.\u00a0 And this time, it looks like he\u2019s talking about his former boss.<\/p>\n
In a recent interview, Hagel claims that he gave the OK in 2013 to plans for a strike on Syria \u2013 on Damascus, specifically.\u00a0 Hagel indicates he OKed those plans on 30 August 2013, after Assad\u2019s forces had apparently used chemical weapons. The POTUS had very publicly previously indicated that use of chemical weapons by Assad was a \u201cred line\u201d that would result in US action.<\/p>\n
Hagel claims, point blank, that the POTUS overruled him later that day, while forces were standing by awaiting orders to execute.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what the Administration had to say in reply:<\/p>\n
A senior administration official defended the decision to Foreign Policy, saying Obama was not prepared to take military action without consulting Congress first \u2013 and the diplomatic deal that had Assad relinquish his weapons resulted in a Syria \u201cfree of its chemical weapons program.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Pure bullsh!t. The current Occupant, 1600 Penn Ave, Wash DC, and his enablers didn\u2019t give a hoot in hell about Congressional authorization for the use of force when we conducted military operations against the government of Libya in 2011 – nor did they comply with the War Powers Act’s requirements for Congressional notification as the operation dragged on. The Administration’s claim here nothing but a transparently obvious attempt at spin. Nor do I believe for one minute that Syria has given up 100% of their chem weapons, either.<\/p>\n