Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Chuck Hagel's Pentagon

    Chuck Hagel is President Obama's choice to be Secretary of Defense. At his Senate confirmation hearing today, he got a grilling — especially from former Republican colleagues.

    • rss
    Download MP3
    • Share
    By Warren Olney • Jan 31, 2013 • 51m Listen

    Chuck Hagel is President Obama's choice to be Secretary of Defense. At his Senate confirmation hearing today, he got a grilling — especially from former Republican colleagues. We hear an exchange with John McCain and what Hagel had to say about the Iraq surge, Iran, Israel and cuts in the Pentagon budget. Also, an Israeli airstrike in Syria brings backlash, and a new series on cable TV makes heroes out of Soviet Spies in America during the Cold War. What's the lesson about history as portrayed in American culture?

    Banner image: Senator Charles T. Hagel answers a question at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Service Committee in Washington DC, January 31, 2013. If confirmed, he will become the 24th Secretary of Defense. DoD Photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Caitlin Shamberg

      KCRW

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

      NewsNationalPolitics
    Back to To the Point