Forsvarsminister Hagel er presset ut

Defense Secretary Hagel, under pressure, 

submits resignation

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President Obama announced the resignation of Defense 
Secretary Chuck Hagel at a joint news conference on Monday. 
Hagel will continue as defense secretary until the president 
nominates a successor, who must also be confirmed by the 
Senate. 
(Associated Press)

By Craig Whitlock and Missy Ryan November 24 at 1:00 PM   

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel bowed to pressure from the
White House and submitted his resignation Monday after less
than two years in the job, a casualty of the Obama administration’s
infighting over national-security policy, especially regarding the
Middle East.

Hagel said he will remain at the Pentagon until Obama can pick a
replacement, who must then be confirmed by the Senate.
Contenders include Michele Flournoy and Ashton Carter, former
high-ranking defense officials during Obama’s first term who
were passed over for the top job in favor of Hagel.

Obama formally announced the change in a late-morning
appearance at the White House. He said Hagel approached him
last month and concluded that “it was an appropriate time for
him to complete his service.” Neither Hagel nor the president
gave a specific reason for the decision, and Obama gave no hint
that he had asked Hagel to stay.

In brief remarks, Hagel said that serving as defense secretary
“has been the greatest privilege of my life.” As the event concluded,
Obama reached over to give him an awkward-looking hug.

Afterward, White House officials said Obama had lost confidence
in Hagel’s ability to oversee the war against the Islamic State and
U.S. military operations in Iraq and Syria.