Ashton Carter likely next Pentagon chief

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 -- a physicist turned national security policy wonk -- to replace outgoing Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel, "barring any last minute complications," CNN reported. CNN cited several unnamed administration officials and The Washington Post also reported Obama would nominate Carter. Th