Excerpt:

He told officials and strategists gathering at a global security forum put on by the Center for Strategic and International Studies that after 12 years of costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans are fighting a tendency to look inward and stay out of world conflicts.

"Only looking inward is just as deadly a trap as hubris, " Hagel said. "We must avoid both in pursuing a successful foreign policy in the 21st century."

That strategy rests on operating with a smaller footprint, relying more on precise strikes by special operations forces and drones, training and assisting partner nations to deal with regional security challenges, and engaging in more humanitarian efforts.

Hagel Warns Against Overreliance on Military Power

November 05, 2013

Luis Ramirez

http://m.voanews.com/a/1784115.html

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speaks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, Nov. 5, 2013.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Tuesday the United States should use all of instruments of power, not just its military, to lead the world against terrorism and other threats.

Hagel laid out a list of budget and strategic priorities for the Pentagon in what he called the post-9/11 era when President Barack Obama is moving the country off a perpetual war footing.

He told officials and strategists gathering at a global security forum put on by the Center for Strategic and International Studies that after 12 years of costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans are fighting a tendency to look inward and stay out of world conflicts.

"Only looking inward is just as deadly a trap as hubris, " Hagel said. "We must avoid both in pursuing a successful foreign policy in the 21st century."

(Continued at the link below)

http://m.voanews.com/a/1784115.html