US Defense Secretary Resigns / With Hagel Out, Past Contenders Eyed As Next U.S. Defense Chief
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty With Hagel Out, Past Contenders Eyed As Next U.S. Defense Chief Today, November 24th 5:41pm · noreply@rferl.org (Luke Johnson) · features afghanistan iraq WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s abrupt announcement of his resignation on November 24 leaves a top cabinet position open in U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration, and early speculation suggests that candidates previously considered for the job could be tapped to lead the Pentagon. The possible successors to Hagel, who Obama said will stay on until a replacement is confirmed by the Senate, include U.S. Senator Jack Reed (Democrat-Rhode Island), former Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy, “The New York Times” cited Obama administration officials as saying. All three have been considered for the job before at various points under the Obama administration, according to nu