U.S. President Barack Obama delivers a statement from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
U.S. President Barack Obama delivers a statement from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, during his vacation August 20, 2014. Obama on Wednesday vowed that the United States will not be swayed from airstrikes against Islamic State after the group beheaded an American journalist, an act he said is proof that the militants stand for no religion. Obama's response to the execution of James Foley marked his strongest condemnation yet of Islamic State militants, and he gave no sign of a pause in U.S. targeting of militant positions in Iraq. Reuters

The resignation of the U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has shifted focus to the new incumbent who will be his replacement. Hagel submitted his resignatiion on Monday after coming under pressure from President Barack Obama. White House had been unhappy about Hagel's performance in the context of the criticism it faced in handling the Middle East crisis. The U.S. president said he and Hagel determined this was an "appropriate time to complete his service," reported Global News.

Tussle With White House

Hagel said to have been frustrated with the White House. Recently, he sent out a letter to National Security Adviser Susan Rice in which he asked more clarity from Obama in dealing with Syrian President Bashar Assad. The letter had angered White House officials.

The timing of Hagel's departure is also a bit ticklish. It can trigger a potential confirmation fight in the Senate as the Republicans, who are deeply critical of the president's foreign policy, are set to take control of the house in January. But, Hagel will remain in office until a successor is confirmed by the Senate.

Among the leading contenders is Michele Flournoy, who served as the Pentagon's policy chief in the first three years of Obama's presidency. She is now chief executive officer of the Center for a New American Security, a think-tank she co-founded. Flournoy is interested in the top job but want assurances from the White House that she has more latitude in policymaking than Hagel. Others include Ashton Carter, ex deputy defence secretary, and Robert Work, the current deputy.

Scape Goat

With Hagel's ouster, Obama earns the rare distinction of being the first president since Harry Truman to have four defence secretaries in a row. Robert Gates and Leon Panetta, who were Hegel's predecessors, had problems with White House on micromanagement and interference in policy decisions.

Commented Buck McKeon, Republican and Chair of the House Armed Services Committee: "Obama must consider his own role in his administration's foreign policy struggles rather than seeking another changeover at the Pentagon. When the president goes through three secretaries, he should ask, Is it them or is it me."

Meanwhile, BBC reported that Obama having paid tributes to Hagel's "class and integrity." Hagel, 68, is a Vietnam war veteran with a Republican background as a former senator. Hagel was the first enlisted combat veteran to serve as defence secretary. In a brief statement, Hagel said it had been the "great privilege of my life to lead and serve the men and women of the defence department."