America’s Next Secretary of Defense – Ashton Carter

Introducing Ashton Carter (Photo: White House Gov.)

On November 24, 2014, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel resigned after two years on the job. Hagel had a rough confirmation hearing and never seemed to find his feet at the Department of Defense. Hagel was hired to wind things down; the U.S. military was set to shrink and U.S. forces were pulling out of Afghanistan. Reports suggest that Hagel was having a rough time during his two years, particularly with President Obama’s inner circle.

 Several names were put forward as replacements for Mr. Hagel, but in the end the President settled on Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. Mr. Carter served as Assistant Secretary of Defense under President Bill Clinton and Deputy Secretary of Defense from October 2011-December 2013. Mr. Carter’s specialties at the Pentagon were budgets and weapons acquisitions. He is reported to have both technical knowledge and policy knowledge. It is expected that his confirmation hearings will go smoothly.

 Mr. Carter has an impressive resume. He was a Rhodes Scholar, and was awarded a Ph.D. in Physics from Oxford University. He also has degrees in Physics and Medieval History from Yale University. Mr. Carter also lectured at Harvard University’s Kennedy School. If confirmed, Ashton Carter would probably have no problems with the Obama insiders. He also promised in his nomination speech to say exactly what he thinks.  Mr. Carter’s confirmation hearings will begin in 2015.

Insight into Mr. Carter’s thinking:

Foreign Affairs –  Running The Pentagon Right by Ashton Carter 

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/140346/ashton-b-carter/running-the-pentagon-right