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Obama nominates Ashton Carter as new US defence chief | Obama nominates Ashton Carter as new US defence chief |
(35 minutes later) | |
US President Barack Obama has nominated former Pentagon official Ashton Carter as new defence secretary. | US President Barack Obama has nominated former Pentagon official Ashton Carter as new defence secretary. |
Mr Carter was previously the Pentagon's chief arms buyer and an assistant secretary of defense under former President Bill Clinton. | Mr Carter was previously the Pentagon's chief arms buyer and an assistant secretary of defense under former President Bill Clinton. |
His appointment to the post, replacing outgoing Chuck Hagel who resigned last month, now requires approval from the Republican-led US Senate. | His appointment to the post, replacing outgoing Chuck Hagel who resigned last month, now requires approval from the Republican-led US Senate. |
Mr Carter received a doctorate in theoretical physics from Oxford. | Mr Carter received a doctorate in theoretical physics from Oxford. |
Ashton Carter | |
From physicist to Pentagon chief | |
"We face no shortage of challenges to our national security," Mr Obama said on Friday, praising Mr Carter's more than 30 years of service. "[He] is going to be critical to all these efforts." | |
Mr Carter called the nomination an "honour and a privilege", and pledged to Mr Obama his "most candid" strategic and military advice. | |
Mr Hagel quit after two years in the job, reportedly under pressure to go. | Mr Hagel quit after two years in the job, reportedly under pressure to go. |
Following word of his resignation in November, Mr Hagel called manning the post his life's "greatest privilege". | Following word of his resignation in November, Mr Hagel called manning the post his life's "greatest privilege". |
Absent from the nomination announcement at the White House, Mr Hagel released a statement calling Mr Carter a "patriot and a leader", adding he "strongly" supports the nomination. | |
The Vietnam war veteran and former Republican senator, 68, will stay on as secretary until Mr Carter is confirmed. | The Vietnam war veteran and former Republican senator, 68, will stay on as secretary until Mr Carter is confirmed. |
Mr Hagel was reportedly sharply critical of the US strategy against Islamic State and in relation to the Syria regime. | Mr Hagel was reportedly sharply critical of the US strategy against Islamic State and in relation to the Syria regime. |