"Biden Nominates Black Four-Star General as Secretary of Defense... Completes Diplomatic and Security Team"

US Media Reports Successive Nominations of Austin as Former Central Command Commander
Biden to Announce Defense Secretary Nominee on 11th
First Female Defense Secretary Appointment Seems to Have Failed

Lloyd Austin, former commander of the U.S. Central Command, reportedly selected as the U.S. Secretary of Defense
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] It has been reported that President-elect Joe Biden has nominated an African American as Secretary of Defense. The birth of the first African American U.S. Secretary of Defense appears imminent. With the Secretary of Defense position filled, the Biden administration's foreign and security cabinet appointments are expected to be virtually complete.

Political media outlet Politico reported on the 7th (local time) that Biden has selected Lloyd Austin, former commander of Central Command, as Secretary of Defense, with an announcement expected as early as the 8th.

AP News also cited three sources reporting that Austin has been chosen as the nominee for Secretary of Defense.

Biden himself, when asked in Wilmington, Delaware about the timing of the nominations for Secretary of Defense and Attorney General, replied, "There will be announcements on Wednesday (9th) and Friday (11th). Defense will be on Friday," signaling that the decision is imminent.

According to those familiar with the Secretary of Defense nomination discussions, Biden had considered Austin, former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, and former Deputy Secretary of Defense Michelle Flournoy, a woman, as candidates.

Austin's rise is interpreted as a result of vetting other candidates and checks from progressive forces within the Democratic Party.

Johnson, who served as Secretary of Homeland Security under the Barack Obama administration, faced issues related to the detention and deportation of illegal immigrant families and drone strikes on civilians.

Flournoy reportedly faced strong opposition from progressive forces. Progressive groups criticized Flournoy for founding a consulting firm linked to the defense industry. Some progressive organizations issued statements expressing concern that Flournoy was overly hawkish and might push for military confrontation with China.

Austin is a four-star general who served for 41 years after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1975.

He commanded multinational forces in Iraq in 2008 and returned as a U.S. military commander in 2010, becoming the first African American Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2012. As commander of Central Command, he led efforts to defeat the Sunni militant group Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria.

For Austin, who retired in 2016, to become Secretary of Defense, a special congressional approval process must be followed. The U.S. restricts retired military personnel from becoming Secretary of Defense within seven years of retirement. Former President Donald Trump also had to obtain special congressional approval after nominating James Mattis, who retired in 2013, as Secretary of Defense.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.