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How would Hagel impact US relationship with Israel?

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    Reaction to defense secretary nomination

  • Duration 6:01
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It's.

A new reaction coming in on the president's nomination of former senator Chuck Hagel -- as Defense Secretary with much of the controversy over it stemming largely from -- -- comments.

About Iran.

And has -- lot today Iran's foreign -- and Foreign Ministry.

I spokesman coming out in support of -- and support -- -- saying he hopes his appointment will improve relations between the United States.

And -- Ron explaining quote.

We hope that practical changes are made in America's foreign policy.

And American officials adopt an approach to respect rights of nations.

Another big issue as you know and is the president's relationship with our biggest ally in the mideast Israel in his prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Check -- those controversial comments about Israel including.

-- saying quote the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people.

Had been repeated often the last few days he said those comments years ago -- Aaron David Miller.

Advised six secretaries of state and is our guest now -- nice have you back on the program.

-- -- What -- talking about those comments at that technical said he a couple years ago in just a moment but let's start first with this issue on Iran.

Why would Iran come out with this type of statement now what does it mean.

Well I think if they want to undermine handles nomination it was a perfect statement -- -- And because all it's gonna do is feed the opposition to enable.

And those who argue that the Iranians like what they see because Chuck Hagel has no intention.

Of -- -- considering the use of force to deal with Iran's nuclear program so in a way it's very clever.

What can get -- there intentionally undermining an order they actually like.

The nomination.

Not sure they have a strategy but I'm by and large.

-- views on these issues I think reflect the presidents and I think this is one of the missing.

Pieces in this conversation the reality is that.

Barack Obama is the most dominating controlling foreign policy national security president since Richard Nixon he doesn't delegate -- dominance.

He's going to control.

All of the major decisions regarding American diplomacy and certainly the use of force so.

Whatever Chuck Hagel thinks or doesn't think on the issue of attacking or not attacking Iran.

It ultimately will be the president's side decision and it's not -- six to five vote either.

Whether it goes well toward diplomacy -- -- toward war.

This is gonna have to be a consensus.

Given the stakes so yeah I think -- -- Understands that.

Attacking Iran in on the -- to reward ratio it's heavily skewed toward via toward the -- side rather than the reward.

But in the end in an op Ed last year he supported did use of force.

As an option that should be kept on the table so in the end president's call -- Okay say an estimate of the points that you made in your your writing after this this interview that you did with senator -- -- And got his comments -- regarding they had the quote unquote Jewish lobby you bring it to a broader perspective which is that.

Our relationship between Israel continues and remains in focus and rightly or wrongly this president has been repeatedly questioned about his loyalty.

To one of our allies what do you think is the impact of that entering into a year like this one where there are so many things that are.

Seemingly high stakes and form posse.

You know look I I think -- -- -- and the president.

On the issue of US Israeli relations basically believe the same thing.

Which is the United States has a special relationship with -- Israel.

That Israel is a small country living in dangerous neighborhood on the nice edge deserving and worthy of American support but.

I don't think and neither.

It's former senator hagel nor the president.

Believes in what I would call an exclusive relationship with -- Israel where where in fact American and Israeli interests must agree should agree.

Need to agree on every single issue that's number one number two and is a reality I mean I've said this before.

-- Obama does not relate to Israel.

The way Bill Clinton.

Or even George W.

Bush related to Israel you don't have the intuitive emotional warm and Fuzzy -- having a problem -- that.

Well I think it's a problem if in fact the relationship is dysfunctional.

And can't find -- way to operated sink.

-- George H.

W.

Bush and Jim Bakker had a very tough relationship.

With the American Jewish community.

And with former prime minister -- and yet.

The two of -- baker and bush forty -- Had a strategy.

So a lot of the tensions.

Were mitigated by the fact that the administration.

Knew what it was doing.

The problem this time around on the issue of the peace process for sure.

Is that at least over -- last for years this administration hasn't had much of a strategy.

It's a lot it's rhetoric to exceed its capacity.

And it has help to the the prime minister -- done his fair share to be sure.

In creating I would -- you -- the most dysfunctional relationship between an American president and an Israeli prime minister since her relationship began.

-- I did have that quick final question here that that's a big statement.

As far as what that means for our national security here the direct impact did that -- -- dysfunctional relationship to the average American is what.

Well look I think the average American and the polls continue to show this support.

And believe that Israel is worthy of support.

The sky's not falling in the US Israeli relationship.

It's going to survive -- -- gonna continue to be resilient.

But there -- for a tough patch over the next several years.

A sending we're -- -- -- watching certainly as well over the next several months -- great to have you on the program is always look -- have you back.

Thanks -- always a pleasure.

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