Physicist may be chosen as next US defense secretary

New York Times : Ashton Carter, who earned a PhD in theoretical physics from Oxford University, is reported to be President Obama’s pick as the next US secretary of defense. Obama has not announced the nomination, but senior administration officials reported that the choice had been made. Carter is a former deputy secretary of defense, was a longtime faculty member of Harvard University, and currently teaches at Stanford University. His academic career was focused on nuclear security, and in his stint as the number two official in the Pentagon from 2011 to 2013, he was in charge of military spending. Carter was considered for the position previously, but Chuck Hagel, whom he will now replace, was chosen instead. Both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have expressed support for Carter, so it is likely that his nomination will not face extreme opposition during confirmation hearings.