Obama nominates Ashton Carter to lead Pentagon
- 9 years ago
ROUGH CUT (No reporter narration)
If approved as Defense Secretary by Congress, Ashton Carter will be tested almost immediately, as the United States wrestles with a growing list of international crises - from the battle against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria to troubled ties with Russia and a still-resilient Taliban enemy in Afghanistan.
Hagel resigned under pressure last week after less than two years at the helm of the Defense Department. If approved, Carter will be Obama's fourth defense secretary.
Carter, 60, served for four years in senior Pentagon jobs and was the No. 2 official at the Pentagon from October 2011 to December 2013, when he stepped down. Previously, he was the Pentagon's chief arms buyer, giving him deep knowledge of defense procurement and weapons policy and control over billions of dollars in spending.
He also served as assistant secretary of defense for international security policy under President Bill Clinton.
If approved as Defense Secretary by Congress, Ashton Carter will be tested almost immediately, as the United States wrestles with a growing list of international crises - from the battle against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria to troubled ties with Russia and a still-resilient Taliban enemy in Afghanistan.
Hagel resigned under pressure last week after less than two years at the helm of the Defense Department. If approved, Carter will be Obama's fourth defense secretary.
Carter, 60, served for four years in senior Pentagon jobs and was the No. 2 official at the Pentagon from October 2011 to December 2013, when he stepped down. Previously, he was the Pentagon's chief arms buyer, giving him deep knowledge of defense procurement and weapons policy and control over billions of dollars in spending.
He also served as assistant secretary of defense for international security policy under President Bill Clinton.