Ashton Carter, 60, has replaced Chuck Hagel as the U.S. defense secretary. Vice President Joseph Biden administered his oath, TASS reports. Ashton Carter arrived at the Defense Department with his wife Stephanie, who tripped on icy steps and fell at the entrance. She was not injured. Despite last night’s heavy snow that forced many federal departments, schools, universities, private companies and stores to close, Carter plans to spend his day at the office.
Ashton Carter was promoted to the post by President Barack Obama at the end of 2014. Only five senators voted against his appointment. Carter was deputy defense secretary in 2011-2013. He has recently been working at the Center for American Progress. He will have to conclude the withdrawal of the U.S. from Afghanistan, continue the anti-ISIS operation in Iraq and Syria, and maintain the expenditure of the Pentagon at the needed level.
