Top GOP Senator: “Things Are Worse Off In The Middle East Today Than They Were Three Years Ago”...

Huffington Post May 29, 2006 at 09:18 AM
READ MORE: Tim Russert, Iraq

In Huff Post's weekly "Russert Watch" feature guest host Ankush Khardori recaps Sunday's "Meet The Press" with host Tim Russert. Russert invited republicans Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner and Sen. Chuck Hagel to discuss immigration and the controversy surrounding the FBI raid on Rep. William Jefferson's office. Towards the end of the show, Russert asked Sen. Hagel about his views on Iran....

"Finally, Russert asks Hagel about a statement he made last week in which he said the Bush administration should engage directly with Iran. Hagel reiterates the point and, in a startlingly candid assessment of Middle East policy, goes on to say, "I think you could make a pretty strong case that things are worse off in the Middle East today than they were three years ago. By measurement of Iraq, by Iran, by the Palestinian-Israeli issue, what's going on in Egypt. And, I think the United States must use its force of diplomacy to engage Iran."

Read entire post here.