VIRGINIA: Ashton Carter, a former Pentagon No. 2, and President Barack Obamas pick for Defence Secretary after Chuck
Hagel, is willing to expand US counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan and favours efforts to arm and integrate Sunni tribal forces into Iraqs battle against Islamic State (IS) militants. Hes also reportedly willing to consider recommending changes to Obamas drawdown plans in Afghanistan next year, should conditions deteriorate.
Citing Carters written answers to questions due to be publicly released later on Wednesday, 4 Feb, Reuters reports that in his opening statement to the Senate, Obamas nominee is poised to tell Republicans in Congress that he might consider reviewing the schedule for withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan, and would push to trim wasteful spending.
When Ashton Carter heads to the Senate for a 9.30am confirmation hearing, the going is expected to be far smoother for him than the one that badly damaged outgoing Defence Secretary Chuck Hagels political stature two years ago, the news agency reports.
He is also due to give Obama his most candid strategic advice about the dangers ahead, according to the opening statement. The changes hes likely to recommend to Obamas drawdown plans in Afghanistan could appeal to some Republicans who criticise Obama for setting drawdown targets in Afghanistan as well his limits on US military actions in Iraq, Syria and Ukraine.
Carter was nominated to become Obamas fourth Defence Secretary after Hagel resigned under pressure last year, raising questions over whether the 60-year-old technocrat would be able break into Obamas tight-knit inner circle. Hagel remains in the job until his successor is confirmed.
It remains to be seen whether Carter will depart from longstanding Obama administration positions.
Carter is reported to be an administration insider who has toiled away in high-ranking positions within the Pentagon in recent years.
His roles include deputy defence secretary- the Pentagon’s No. 2 job from 2011 to 2013 and the Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer from 2009-11 when he led a major restructuring of the F-35 fighter jet program.
I would think we will see more of continuity than we will see divergence, said William Perry, a former US defence secretary and mentor to Carter.
Carters hearing will be closely watched by Lockheed Martin Corp, Boeing Co and other big weapons makers, which are waiting for clues about Carters priorities and his commitment to new procurement programs, including a new long-range bomber and the Air Force One replacement.
Like Hagel, Carter criticised across-the-board spending cuts imposed by Congress but also singled out the need for greater reform of defence spending, already underway.
I cannot suggest support and stability for the defence budget without at the same time frankly noting that not every defence dollar is spent as well as it should be, he says in prepared opening remarks.
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