At the Munich Security Conference, Secretary of State Kerry and Secretary of Defense Hagel called on European allies to step up their participation with the US in facing joint political and security challenges. Hagel indicated that the Obama administration is seeking to place more emphasis on traditional diplomacy and less on the exercise of military power. Kerry rejected charges that the US is disengaging from a leadership role. US officials are cautioning international business executives that the current relaxation of sanctions on Iran is temporary.
