Obama defends defence choice

The New York Times has compiled Senator Chuck Hagel's views, as expressed in interviews and speeches, on a range of the most pressing foreign policy issues:

On Syria

On Iran

On Iraq and Afghanistan

President Obama's choice for the next US defence secretary is a Republican politician and a decorated Vietnam veteran. Here are some facts about his life:

• Grew up in a poor family in North Platte, Nebraska
• Gained military experience as an infantry squad leader in the Vietnam war
• Would be one of the few secretaries who has been wounded in war (he still has shrapnel lodged in his chest)

• As a businessman, he made a fortune in the fledgling mobile phone industry
• Served as Republican Senator for Nebraska twice
• Criticised George W. Bush administration over the Iraq War

President Barack Obama has defended his decision to nominate a Republican former Senator, Chuck Hagel, for his next defence secretary.

President Obama has nominated John Brennan to be the new director of the CIA, replacing David Petraeus who resigned over an extramarital affair.

Brennan is a controversial choice for Obama after questions have been raised about his views on enhanced interrogation techniques used on terrorism suspects during the Bush administration.

The appointment must still be confirmed by the Senate.

US President Obama has nominated Senator Chuck Hagel as his new defence secretary.

The former Republican senator for Nebraska will take over the top Pentagon job from Leon Panetta if his appointment is confirmed by the Senate.

President Obama said that US troops would see in Senator Hagel a "decorated combat veteran of character and strength".