Battle Over Iraq War Lives in Syria

Debates about whether the US should commit troops to aid opposition forces fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has roots in debates over US policy toward both Iraq and Vietnam, writes Geoffrey Aronson.
U.S. Senators Carl Levin (D-MI), James Inhofe (R-OK) and John McCain (R-AZ) (L-R) listen as former Senator Chuck Hagel (foreground) testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Hagel's nomination to be Defense Secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 31, 2013. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) - RTR3D711
U.S. Sens. James Inhofe (R-OK) and John McCain (R-AZ) (L-R) listen as former Sen. Chuck Hagel (foreground) testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Hagel's nomination to be Defense Secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 31, 2013. - REUTERS/Larry Downing
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Geoffrey Aronson

The most poignant moment of the confirmation hearing of former Sen. Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense was the colloquy sparked by Sen. John McCain's demand for a statement of contrition from Hagel for his opposition to the surge in Iraq, and more broadly, to U.S. policy in the region.

Hagel was having none of it.

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