Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The U.S.-led war against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant has claimed its first high-level political casualty.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been forced to resign amid his disagreement over the war against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. Hagel announced his resignation on Nov. 24 after he disputed the policy of President Barack Obama regarding threats in the Middle East and other regions.

“I know that Chuck was frustrated with aspects of the administration’s national security policy and decision-making process,” Sen. John McCain, a longtime colleague of Hagel, said.

In a statement on Nov. 24, McCain, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Hagel opposed the U.S.-led war against ISIL. The senator said Hagel also objected to White House intervention in the Pentagon and U.S. military.

“[Hagel’s] predecessors have spoken about the excessive micro-management they faced from the White House and how that made it more difficult to do their jobs successfully,” McCain said, “Chuck’s situation was no different.”

Obama said Hagel, a longtime advocate of a U.S. reconciliation with Iran, decided to leave the Pentagon in October after a meeting on the final two years of the administration. The president credited Hagel with help in strategy and budget regarding ISIL.

“Over nearly two years, Chuck has been an exemplary defense secretary,” Obama said.

  Obama team’s reaction to ISIL offensive got Hagel fired, WorldTribune.com