Obama to nominate Ashton Carter as new
US defence chief
2 December 2014 US & Canada
Ashton Carter received a doctorate in theoretical
physics from Oxford University
US President Barack Obama is expected to
nominate former Pentagon official Ashton Carter as
new defence secretary.
Administration officials told the BBC that Mr Carter
heads the White House shortlist to replace outgoing
Chuck Hagel who resigned last month.
His appointment now requires approval from the
Republican-led US Senate.
Mr Carter was previously the Pentagon's chief
arms buyer and an assistant secretary of defense
under former President Bill Clinton.
A Rhodes scholar, he received a doctorate in
theoretical physics from Oxford University.
Chuck Hagel (right) served as the defence chief
for two years under Mr Obama
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".
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.
The US president said he was "extraordinary lucky"
to have had Mr Hagel by his side as defence
secretary and praised him for forging a strong bond
with US troops.
Chapisha Maoni