Monday's global agenda: Obama to nominate Hagel, Brennan today

Your morning global affairs speed-read

President Obama is expected to formally announce his choices for secretary of Defense and director of the CIA today, launching a new round of political brinksmanship over national security.

Several Republicans – including hawkish Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) - have already made clear their opposition to former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) replacing Leon Panetta at the Pentagon, The Washington Post reports. Others, however, have called for a fair hearing for their former colleague-turned-bitter critic of the Iraq war, despite concerns that he is too soft on Iran and not committed enough to Israel's security.

In other nomination news, Obama is expected to nominate his counterterrorism adviser, William Brennan, to replace David Petraeus at the CIA, The New York Times reports.

And Secretary of State Hillary Clinton resumes her functions today, after suffering a stomach ailment, a concussion and a blood clot in her brain.

Tainted travel: Google chairman Eric Schmidt and former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson arrived in North Korea on Monday, a trip criticized by the State Department. [The Wall Street Journal]

In other news: 

Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai will give Obama a piece of his mind when he visits Washington later this week. [The Washington Post]

Syria's Bashar Assad ruled out talks with rebels in a rare national address Sunday. [The Wall Street Journal]

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has officially changed his government's name to the “State of Palestine” after the U.N. voted last month for Palestinian statehood. [Associated Press]

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