(12.2.) The new defense secretary expressed hawkish views at a Senate confirmation hearing last week, telling the panel he was “very much inclined” toward arming the Ukrainian government against pro-Russia rebels and that the US needs to “finish its campaign” in Afghanistan. He also said fighting terrorism is an “enduring part of our national security mission” that will extend beyond strikes against Isis and al-Qaida, and that he would not buckle under pressure to release any more Guantánamo Bay detainees than necessary.(…)
The White House press secretary, Josh Earnest, meaningfully repeated one of Carter’s own assertions, saying the secretary is a “strong believer in the chain of command”.