Did Chuck Hagel Speak Out Of School When Talking About Syrian Use Of Chemical Weapons?....

[global1]

I'm wondering if Hagel jumped the gun and mentioned chemical weapons use in Syria before he got it cleared to say that from the White House. Did he speak out of turn? Did he put President Obama in a pickle because he spoke before he was told by the WH that he was able to say that?

[TwilightGardener]

1. He seemed doubtful of Israel's assessment just a day ago, and said the US needed its

own intelligence confirmation of chem weapons. And then suddenly today, he announces that US intelligence agrees with Israel. I think it was the other way around--I think the WH cleared him (or told him) to say it. Kerry almost immediately said the same thing. I am not sure what's going on--but Hagel is pretty careful about what he says.

[global1]

2. Why Would The WH Purposely Put Itself In Kind Of A Bind Now?....

The President expressed pretty strongly a while back that chemical weapons use would push him beyond his red line. Now it seems to make him weak if he doesn't act. I didn't think he wanted to get us into another war of sorts. So what is the strategy here? I'm a bit perplexed.

[TwilightGardener]

3. Well, Obama put himself in a bind when he declared that his red line was

chem weapons, many months ago. Ever since, there have been claims of use, to goad us into helping the rebels or intervening. But he can't deny current US intelligence that says chem weapons were used--that wouldn't be honest. I don't think the WH wants to intervene militarily in Syria. I certainly don't think Kerry or Hagel are pushing him into it, either. When they speak, it's because they were given permission to speak.