Ashton Carter likely next Pentagon chief: reports

The former number-two ranking official at the Pentagon, Ashton Carter, will likely be named as the next US defense secretary, American media reported Tuesday. President Barack Obama was poised to nominate Carter to replace outgoing Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel, "barring any last minute complications," CNN reported. Pentagon officials acknowledged to AFP that Carter was on a shortlist of candidates for the post but could not confirm if a final decision had been taken. Hagel, the outgoing