Former Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), whose strategic mindset and approach to US foreign policy rejects the “false choice” and “zero sum game approaches” that the Bush administration has often taken in the Middle East between Israel’s interests and Arab regional interests on one hand and between Russia and NATO on the other, has been offered a number of potential Ambassadorial appointments by the Obama team.
According to a well placed source, among these have been the US Ambassadorships to the United Kingdom and to China. More recently, rumors are flying that he has been offered the position of Ambassador to Japan.
Hagel declined both the UK and China positions, according to someone in the know, and will be participating in other private pursuits for the time being. According to another source, Senator Hagel looks forward to serving the country again, but at this point he does not want to move his family abroad.
On the Japan rumor, my source made clear that Chuck Hagel would not accept Japan after having rejected other senior Ambassadorial positions.
I was told that Hagel’s private sector plans would be made public in the coming weeks, but I have confirmed that one of his arrangements is working in alliance with financier and former World Bank President James Wolfensohn.
— Steve Clemons
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