Facing pressure from several corner over the national security challenges that the Obama administration is facing, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday stepped down from his position.
President Barack Obama is witnessing severe challenges concerning the national security, with revising plans to exit Afghanistan and fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria among the top most issues.
With Hagel’s resignation comes the first major change in Obama’s Cabinet since the midterm elections that have routed the Democrats against the Republicans three weeks ago. The Republicans, who now enjoy the control of both houses of Congress, are looking forward for a new approach from the White house.
The US president has appointed Hagel less than two years ago when he had pushed his signature program of winding down the war situations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sources familiar with the situation said that Hagel was under severe pressure and had also expressed frustration to some of his colleagues about the administration’s strategy toward Syria and Iraq. He was also depressed about his lack of influence over the decision-making process, the source said.
The officials publicly announced that Hagel’s decision to leave was mutual, however, there were sentiments that he was forced to quit.
One of the source having knowledge of the matter clarified that Hagel’s decision was a personal one and “there’s no question he was fired.”
According to the reports, Hagel has raised doubts over Obama’s strategy toward Syria in an internal policy memo that was leaked this fall.
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