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(Reuters) - President Barack Obama offered strong support for former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel as the potential next U.S. defense secretary but said in remarks aired on Sunday that he had not yet decided on a nominee for the Pentagon post.

Hagel is considered a leading candidate to replace outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, but the former Nebraska lawmaker has come under criticism for his record on Israel and for a comment that being gay was an inhibiting factor for being an ambassador.

"I've served with Chuck Hagel. I know him. He is a patriot. He is somebody who has done extraordinary work both in the United States Senate, somebody who served this country with valor in Vietnam," Obama told NBC's "Meet the Press" in an interview taped on Saturday and broadcast on Sunday.

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Obama defends Chuck Hagel -- Washington Post
Obama defends Hagel; no decision on Pentagon job -- USA Today
Obama praises Hagel as a ‘patriot’ -- The Hill
Obama defends Hagel as ‘patriot’ -- Al-Monitor
Obama says no decision yet on Defense secretary, defends Hagel -- L.A. Times
Barack Obama: Chuck Hagel Shows 'Positive Change' On Gay Rights -- Huffington Post
Little enthusiasm among GOP for Hagel, but he has Obama's support -- Christian Science Monitor
Little Republican support for Hagel for Defense post-senator -- Reuters
Slim Republican support for Hagel as defense secretary -- Washington Times

My Comment: I had this experience once .... I received overflowing praise from my boss but the promotion went to someone else.

 

 

The security transition from NATO troops to Afghan security forces which started last year is due to complete in five phases following a pre-planned organized program.

Despite Afghan security forces are in charge of over 75% of the Afghan soil security, Afghan officials are continuously expressing concerns regarding the lack of proper military equipments which creates challenges for the Afghan security forces.

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ISAF Joint Command morning operational update, Dec 30 -- ISAF
Violence in Afghanistan falls in 2012, but more Afghan troops dying and insider attacks rise -- Washington Post/AP
Afghanistan’s 2012 military losses at over 1,000 -- Voice of Russia
Record number of Afghan soldiers killed in 2012 -- DAWN/AFP
NATO soldier killed in Afghanistan -- UPI
Five Taliban militants killed in eastern Afghanistan -- Press TV
Georgian Soldier Found Shot Dead In Afghanistan -- Radio Free Europe
NATO: Body of captured Georgian soldier found in southern Afghanistan -- Washington Post/AP
Body of ISAF soldier found in southern Afghanistan -- Stars and Stripes
Missing Georgian soldier found dead in Afghanistan -- Khaama Press
The end of female engagement teams -- Marine Times
Energy Drinks Take Afghanistan By Storm -- Radio Free Europe
A fight for Afghanistan’s most famous artifact -- Washington Post
What 2012 has meant for Afghanistan -- Ahmed Rashid, BBC
Is the US winning in Afghanistan? It's hard to say -- Ian Livingston and Michael O'Hanlon, Foreign Policy
Afghanistan: winning, or just going home? -- Gretel C. Kovach, UT San Diego

The joint U.N.-Arab League peace envoy says he has a proposal to end the 21-month conflict in Syria.

Lakhdar Brahimi said Sunday in Cairo after meeting with Arab League officials he believes his plan, based on an agreement signed in Geneva earlier this year, "could be adopted by the international community." He made no further comment on the proposal.

Brahimi said something needs to be done soon because the situation in Syria is "getting worse by the day."

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No end to Syria war if sides refuse to talk: envoy.

Syria government forces retake Homs district.

Official: Turkey talking to jailed Kurdish leader.

Protesters attack Iraqi Deputy PM, guards open fire.

Avigdor Lieberman faces fraud charges in Israeli court.

Israel's population on 8 million threshold.


Bomb kills 19 Pakistan pilgrims, 21 troops shot dead.

Taliban's peace offer viewed as 'posturing'.

Suspects in India rape case charged with murder. Body of India rape victim cremated in New Delhi.

Japan's finance minister Aso to travel to Myanmar, meet president Thein Sein.

Sex, drugs and rock and roll: Australia's other boom.

Chinese fishing boat detained in Japan: Xinhua.


More French troops fly to Central African Republic to protect against rebel advance.

Diplomats make last ditch effort to talk with CAR rebels. Central African Republic crisis: AU chief to hold talks with Bozize. CAR president says ready to form coalition govt with rebels.

Mali: Mauritania braces for war next door.

Nigerian militants kill seven in raids on northern towns.

Longest Somali pirate ordeal ends for Iceberg-1 crew.

Egypt to resume IMF loan talks as reserves dwindle.


Euro zone economy set to contract further in 4Q.

Italy leftist PM candidate Bersani tops opinion poll, Monti second.

Church backs Vladimir Putin's ban on Americans adopting Russian children.

Fifth victim of Russia plane crash dies.

French 75% income tax struck down by constitutional council.

‘Non’ to France: Depardieu stays in Belgium despite tax waiver.

Berlusconi divorce bill: $3.8m a month.

Statue of Hitler praying is displayed in former Warsaw ghetto to controversy.


US economy on cliff-edge in Senate's war of political nerves. Nation on the verge of a fiscal breakdown.

Immigration and gun violence top president's post-fiscal cliff agenda.

Bolivia takes over Spanish-owned energy suppliers.

Venezuela says it has deported alleged French agent accused of plotting to kill Chavez.

Venezuela: South America's most dangerous country.

George H.W. Bush moved out of intensive care.


Al Qaeda's Yemen branch offers bounty for killing US ambassador, troops.

Obama: U.S. has good leads on who carried out Benghazi attacks.

'US drone strike' kills al-Qaeda suspects in Yemen.

Sudanese jihadist media front releases video detailing prison escape of convicted militants.

Taliban spurn Islamic scholars' conference on suicide bombings.


The top 12 tech stories of 2012.

Ford on track to sell 2.2 million cars in U.S. this year.

What to expect from the global economy in 2013.

(CNN) -- The stench of the burnt bodies was so potent, Abu Jafar said, he could smell it from 2 kilometers away.

"It smells awful because the regime appears to have burnt so many bodies recently," the opposition activist said Sunday from the beleaguered city of Homs.

"Some cars arrived this morning and carried away dead bodies. We are not sure where."

Jafar's account comes a day after what may be the deadliest day yet in Syria's 21-month civil war, according to opposition figures.

At least 397 people were killed across the country Saturday, the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria said.

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Update: Syrian opposition: As many as 400 killed in deadliest single day in civil war -- Washington Post

My Comment: 400 killed in one day .... I expect even more in the weeks and months ahead.

MOSCOW: The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has said the Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, will not quit before his term ends in 2014 and that it is ''impossible to change his position''.

The declaration came as Syrian armed forces recaptured a town in the west of the country after days of heavy fighting, Al Jazeera television reported. Government troops had taken control of Deir Balbah, near Homs, the station reported. An opposition coalition said the troops had executed some 220 residents, who were among at least 392 people killed across the country. The figures are unconfirmed.

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My Comment: I think the Syrian rebel movement figured that out a long time ago. This is a fight to the finish .... the only question that is left is .... will Assad be killed, captured, or will he flee to Iran. My prediction is that he will eventually flee to the Alawite strongholds on the Mediterranean coast, and if the rebels succeed in attacking there, he will either flee to the Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon or flyover Iraq (that still does not have a proper air force) to flee to Iran.