As we approach the end of Barrack Obama’s presidency, the United States finds itself in a very precarious position. There are many global threats that present serious danger for the nation’s sovereignty. Between the Ebola outbreak in Africa, the presence of the Islamic State spreading throughout the Middle East, North Korea’s growing volatility, and many other international problems that have arisen over the past year, national defense remains at the top of the United States’ list of priorities.

With all of these threats present, Chuck Hagel’s resignation from his Secretary of Defense position comes at an interesting time. Hagel announced his decision on Monday morning in front of the President and many other government officials. He has committed to carrying out his duties until a successor is named, especially during a time of such international turmoil.

Hagel had a rocky start to his time as Secretary of Defense with the government reallocating a lot of funding away from the Defense department and into others along with an effort towards disengagement of the military. As a member of the Republican Party, Hagel often received backlash from some of his party members for being too close to the President and having views that were too aligned with President Obama’s.

Sources close to Hagel explained that he has been planning his resignation since October and sees midterm congressional elections as a natural transition and an opportunity to put forth his resignation.

Administration officials have claimed that there is a need for change with the mishandling of the Ebola outbreak and the rapid rise of the Islamic State at the forefront of the United States’ most perilous international developments.

As the only Republican member of President Obama’s national security council, there were not many times when the President and Hagel were at odds, and until recently Hagel seemed to have a good handle on the international arena.

As the next Secretary of Defense awaits nomination the President will continue to operate as normal in terms of national defense, but there will definitely be an adjustment period when the position is filled. With President Obama entering lame duck territory the nation will have to put forward extra efforts to quell unrest in the Middle East, prevent Ebola from making its way to the United States, and deal with various other alarming issues of national security.