Hagel's departure does not portend broader shake-up

Washington

RIGHT after US President Barack Obama announced the resignation of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel at the White House, he walked over to a meeting of his entire National Security Council staff, where he told the embattled group that they were critical to an ambitious foreign policy agenda.

The timing was a coincidence, but it seemed an unmistakable sign that Mr Hagel's departure does not portend a broader internal shake-up. If anything, it may represent the final triumph of a White House-centric approach to national security.

Mr Obama does not appear likely to replace his national security adviser, Susan Rice, who skirmished with Mr Hagel over Syria policy and others. Nor is he mulling over a…