Chuck Hagel

U.S. rethinking its opposition to arming Syrian rebels: Hagel

Thomson Reuters — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:15:25 +0000

Thomson Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Thursday the Obama administration is rethinking its opposition to arming Syrian rebels but has not made a final decision.

Asked during a news conference whether the Obama administration was rethinking arming the rebels, Hagel said, "Yes." Asked why, he said, "You look at and rethink all options. It doesn't mean you do or you will."

Arming Syrian opposition one option for U.S.: Hagel

Kyodo News International — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:00:52 +0000

Kyodo News International

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday that providing opposition forces in Syria with military weapons is an option for the United States.

At a joint press conference with British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond following their meeting at the Pentagon, Hagel said, "Arming the rebels, that's an option."

Asked if the administration of President Barack Obama is rethinking its opposition to arming the rebels, Hagel said, "Yes."

US reconsidering whether to arm Syria rebels

Agence France-Presse — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:45:04 +0000

Agence France-Presse

The United States is taking a fresh look at whether to provide weapons to Syria's rebels after having rejected the idea previously, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday.

At a news conference with his British counterpart Philip Hammond, Hagel was asked if the US government was rethinking its opposition to arming the rebels and replied: "Yes."

But the Pentagon chief added that no decision had been reached and declined to say if he favored arming the opposition.

Disputed islands covered by US-Japan accord

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:45:22 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Islands at the center of a territorial row between Japan and China are covered by a military protection accord between Washington and Tokyo, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Monday.

"The United States does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the islands, but we do recognize they are under the administration of Japan and fall under our security treaty obligations," Hagel said at a news conference with his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera.

U.S. believes Syria used chemical weapons but says facts needed

Thomson Reuters — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:30:40 +0000

Thomson Reuters

By Phil Stewart and David Alexander

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence agencies believe Syria's government has likely used chemical weapons on a small scale, the White House said on Thursday, but added that President Barack Obama needed "credible and corroborated" facts before acting on that assessment.

Hagel urges caution on Syria chemical weapons claims

Agence France-Presse — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:01:22 +0000

Agence France-Presse

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel urged caution Wednesday over an Israeli claim Syria's regime used chemical weapons, saying it was "serious business" and any evidence had to be weighed carefully.

Warning against a possible rush to judgement, Hagel indicated he had been caught off guard by allegations from an Israeli general this week that Syria had fired chemical agents against rebels in recent months.

AFP World News Agenda

Agence France-Presse — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:31:40 +0000

Agence France-Presse

What's happening around the world Sunday:

-- TOP STORIES --

+ US focuses on Boston bombers' possible motive

+ 160 dead, thousands injured in China quake

+ High security at London Marathon

BOSTON, Massachusetts: Monitoring as police guard Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev while detectives search for clues to explain how the ethnic Chechen teenager and his brother could have turned to terrorism. (US-ATTACKS)

Pentagon mum on Syria chemical weapons use

Agence France-Presse — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:15:59 +0000

Agence France-Presse

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel declined Wednesday to discuss Syria's possible use of chemical weapons against rebels, raising doubts over whether Washington still views such action as a "red line."

President Barack Obama has repeatedly warned Damascus against resorting to chemical weapons, hinting that the use of such arms or the prospect of militant groups gaining control of them could prompt a US military intervention.

Pentagon mum on Syria chemical weapons use

Agence France-Presse — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:17:52 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel declined Wednesday to discuss Syria's possible use of chemical weapons against rebels, raising doubts over whether Washington still viewed chemical arms a "red line."

The United States has avoided intervention in the Syrian conflict but President Barack Obama has repeatedly warned Damascus against resorting to chemical weapons, evoking the possibility of US military action.

Pentagon calls off new medal for drone, cyber warriors

Agence France-Presse — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:46:57 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday cancelled a new combat medal for US troops who launch drone strikes or cyber attacks after a torrent of criticism from veterans and lawmakers.

Hagel opted to scrap the new "Distinguished Warfare Medal" for a pin or device that could be added to existing medals to recognize service members operating unmanned aircraft or cyber weapons, Hagel said in a statement.

US Military Hit by Budget Cuts, But North Korea Defense Intact - Hagel

Asianet — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:18:24 +0000

Asianet

The US military has been hard hit by sweeping budget cuts, but has not lost its capacity to stand up to an attack by North Korea, defense officials said Wednesday.

“We have every capability to deal with any action North Korea would take, to protect this country, and the interests of this country, and our allies,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said at a briefing on the Pentagon’s 2014 proposed budget, APA reports quoting RIA Novosti.

Hagel said the “sequester” - sweeping government budget cuts that took effect last month - has cut some $41 billion from the defense department bud

U.S. defense capability intact despite budget cuts

Asianet — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:47:13 +0000

Asianet

The United States military has been hard hit by sweeping budget cuts, but has not lost its capacity to stand up to an attack by North Korea, defense officials said Wednesday.

Hagel said the “sequester” -- sweeping government budget cuts that took effect last month -- has cut some US$ 41 billion from the defense department budget for fiscal y

Hagel laments 'political' changes to US defense budget

Agence France-Presse — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:31:03 +0000

Agence France-Presse

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Thursday criticized changes made by US lawmakers to last year's defense budget as purely political and contrary to the department's future as envisioned by Pentagon leaders.

Hagel expressed frustration that -- despite Pentagon efforts to trim programs it deems bloated -- members of Congress have reintroduced expendable programs, apparently to please constituents in their home districts.

Defense Secretary Hagel to visit Israel this month

Asianet — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:18:20 +0000

Asianet

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will pay a first visit to Israel since taking office later this month to bolster the allies' cooperation in the Middle East, an Israeli official told Reuters on Tuesday.

Hagel and his counterpart, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon who is also newly appointed, discussed the visit by phone last month, the Israeli Defence Ministry said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Hagel to visit Israel this month - official

Thomson Reuters — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 05:45:26 +0000

Thomson Reuters

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will pay a first visit to Israel since taking office later this month to bolster the allies' cooperation in the Middle East, an Israeli official told Reuters on Tuesday.

Hagel and his counterpart, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon who is also newly appointed, discussed the visit by phone last month, the Israeli Defence Ministry said. The official said Hagel would visit between April 21-23.