Chuck Hagel

The national security apparatus of the United States is a huge machine that incorporates a myriad of officials - from the commander-in-chief and members of his cabinet, to ambassadors and desk officers, to military and intelligence personnel.

Turkey and the U.S. are good allies but they differ on particular issues, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has told Hürriyet, while commenting on regional issues.

MP Ana Birchall of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), high representative of Romania's Prime Minister Victor Ponta for European affairs and partnership with the US, has underscored the importance of continuing to consolidate the existing strategic partnership between Romania and the US, both on a military and on an economic level.

Prime minister, Victor Ponta has met the US Secretary of Defence, Chuck Hagel during his working visit in Washington, a release sent Agerpres by the Romanian Government on Thursday morning, reads.

Foto: (c) GARY CAMERON/ REUTERS

President Barack Obama has nominated former senior Pentagon official Ashton Carter as US Secretary of Defense.

If confirmed by the Senate, Carter will replace outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who resigned in November.

President Barack Obama on Dec. 5 will name former Pentagon deputy chief Ashton Carter to be his new defense secretary, a White House official said.

If confirmed Carter would replace Chuck Hagel, who announced his resignation last month. Carter served as deputy defense secretary under Leon Panetta from October 2011 to December 2013.

US President Barack Obama is expected to nominate on Friday Ashton Carter to succeed Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense, according to White House sources quoted by CNN.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Dec. 4 his resignation last week was not prompted by "major differences" with President Barack Obama, pushing back against statements that he had been fired or quit due to White House micromanagement.

Administration sources said on Dec. 2 that U.S. President Barack Obama has settled on the 60-year-old Ashton Carter as his fourth defense secretary, with an announcement expected in coming days once he is thoroughly vetted.

President Barack Obama is considering a variety of high-profile figures as his candidate to be the next U.S. defense secretary and replace the resigning Chuck Hagel, administration sources said on Dec. 1.