US President Barack Obama has named a maverick former Republican senator as defence secretary, despite a political backlash over the nomination. Chuck Hagel would replace Leon Panetta at the Pentagon, but Mr Hagel's fellow Republicans have questioned the Nebraskan's views towards Israel.
Mr Obama has also picked his counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan as director of the CIA. Both appointments must be confirmed by the Senate.
Mr Obama, who has just returned from a family holiday in Hawaii, said at a White House press conference that Mr Hagel was "the leader our troops deserve".