Hagel calls for new foreign policy realism

In a well thought out speech on Thursday, Chuck Hagel slammed the Administration's Middle East foreign policy strategy.  Of course, the golden rule in politics is not to criticize unless you have the audacity of hope to suggest an alternative.  Well, he did.  The Nebraska Senator called for a new era of foreign policy realism that consists of diplomacy with all countries, coupled with an end to flawed judgment about the use of force:

Here is an excerpt of the speech (via Washington Note):

We will fail to protect and advance America's interests -- in theMiddle East and around the world -- if we allow ourselves to be trappedin a self-constructed world based not on reality but on flawedassumptions and flawed judgment leading to flawed policy and dangerousmiscalculations.

The United States must approach the Middle East with a clearunderstanding of the complexities of the region. Our strategic policiesmust be regional in scope. . .integrating Iran, Iraq, Syria, theIsraeli-Palestinian conflict, violent Islamic extremism, access toenergy supplies, and political reform into a comprehensive policyequation.

In the latest issue of Time Magazine, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) responded to 10 questions from readers about his decision to break with the GOP on Iraq.