Obama appoints Hagel to intelligence post

President Barack Obama has appointed former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel (Neb.) to serve as a co-chairman of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board. 

During his time in the Senate, Hagel was highly critical of the Bush administration's approach to the Iraq war. The Nebraskan refused to endorse Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in last year's presidential election and rumors emerged that he might back Obama. He never did endorse a candidate.

Hagel served on the Foreign Relations Committee and Intelligence Committee before retiring from the Senate at the end of his term earlier this year.

Obama appointed former Sen. David Boren (D-Okla.) as the other co-chairman. Boren was the longest-serving chairman of the Intelligence Committee before retiring in 1994.

"I’m very pleased that these two distinguished Americans have agreed to serve as co-chairmen of my Intelligence Advisory Board," said Obama in a statement. "They have been leading voices on intelligence and security issues, and they represent the bipartisan consensus for a strong and smart national security policy."

The board advises the president directly on matters of foreign intelligence. According to a White House release, chairmen must have a "tradition of non-partisanship."

After retiring from the Senate, Hagel served as chairman of the Atlantic Council, a foreign policy group.