(Jenny Leonard/Medill NSJI)
WASHINGTON — Air Force Gen. Paul Selva’s Senate hearing Tuesday on his nomination to be one of President Barack Obama’s top military advisers fell hours after a controversial accord broke the years-long impasse over how to contain Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions.
The Biloxi native, who is awaiting confirmation as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, didn’t shrink from pointing out what he sees as a big drawback.
Selva told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he hadn’t had the opportunity to study the entire agreement prior to the hearing. But, he said, “the immediate lifting of (economic) sanctions, or the sequential lifting of sanctions, will give Iran access to more economic assets with which to sponsor state terrorism, should they choose to do so.”
Selva was asked whether he still considers Iran the leading state sponsor of terror.
“Yes sir, they are,” he said. “I’m opposed to the Iranians possessing a nuclear weapon. Ever.”
Selva, 56, currently serves as the commander of the U.S. Transportation Command. Among other positions over his 35-year career, he also served as senior military adviser to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton from 2009 to 2011.
While Iran is the hot-button issue of the moment, Selva said his personal ranking of the greatest threats to the United States puts Russia first. That echoed the view of Obama’s nominee to assume the chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs — Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, who appeared at his confirmation hearing last week.
China, Iran, the self-proclaimed Islamic State and other entities that have emerged from al-Qaida ideology, he said, are lesser threats to the United States because they “do not present a clear present threat to our homeland and the existence of our nation.”
While stressing that he was not suggesting any country intends to attack America, Selva emphasized the importance of being ready to act, if necessary. “We need to have a range of available options with which to respond, whether it’s militarily, diplomatically, economically.”
Apart from the Iran deal, Selva was questioned about U.S. cyber security — a policy issue that he thinks lacks laws and clear definitions of responsibilities for responding to such threats. On military strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan, he stressed the urgency to further train and empower local forces.
The Republican-controlled committee showed no signs of opposition to his testimony, and the four-star general could be confirmed by the full Senate before the recess in August.
If confirmed, Selva would be the highest-ranking officer in the United States Air Force and the first Air Force member in 10 years to hold one of the top positions on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And should Hillary Clinton win the White House in 2016, depending on the relationship he forged with her, Selva could be among the candidates to serve as the Joint Chiefs’ next chairman.
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