TRUMP'S DEFENSE SECRETARY TO TACKLE WORLDWIDE CRISES AMID POLICY OVERHAULS

The United States is still figuring out who will serve as its Secretary of Defense under the Trump administration and there are plenty of problems the role will need to pay attention to. From rising threats in the Pacific to lingering wars in Europe and the Middle East to terrorism and more, there is no shortage of problems to consider. How anyone is going to help revitalize America’s military-industrial industry and readiness while also defending our borders amid potential conflicts across the globe is all anyone’s guess. It’s a lot to tackle, but it’s exactly what you’re signing up for as Defense Secretary.
Who Will Be Trump’s Secretary of Defense?
As of this writing, Pete Hegseth is still pegged to be the Secretary of Defense under Trump as his nominee but has yet to be confirmed. However, he is still on track to be confirmed by the Senate. Thursday is the soonest the vote would occur in the full Senate unless all 100 members agree to move things along more quickly.
While the confirmation process is a bit uncertain, it is a fact that whoever does get the nod as our nation’s next Defense Secretary is going to have their hands full.
Conflicts throughout Europe, the Middle East, in Asia, and even threats stateside, and beyond, will all be on their radar.

China and the Pacific
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III became very familiar with the Indo-Pacific region, taking an average of more than three trips per year during his time in the position.
At the heart of the issues are ongoing tensions with China surrounding their expansionist efforts in the region as well as hostilities involving Taiwan.
The next Defense Secretary is likely to follow suit as there is plenty of interest in the nation and American defense and interests in the region.
Even though Beijing's leadership says that China wants Taiwan to join their nation through peaceful means, the Asian global power has been clear that war is still a viable option if other methods don’t work out.
Considering that Taiwan is an island around 100 miles off the coast of China, Trump’s Secretary of Defense will need to navigate a potential powderkeg while building more partnerships in Asia to ensure peace and allow for a quick American response through islands around the potential flashpoint.
Conflict in Europe
New strategies, and members, involving the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) persist, war in Europe presses on, and nobody knows how to settle land disputes.
For many, life in Europe is peaceful but sadly not for all. Even as the Trump administration continues to push the idea that they have a solution, it’s going to be a lot easier said than done.
The idea is to push for a deal within 100 days of Trump’s inauguration with the Kremlin but there are still plenty of details to iron out before any sort of agreement can be found.
One major point the Secretary of Defense under Trump will need to watch is whether or not the Kremlin pushes further into Europe before or after any agreement is made and what that looks like for NATO if it does.
Israel, Terrorism, and the Middle East
The New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans has vivid ties to an ISIS-inspired event and even had it not occurred, there’s plenty going on involving the Middle East.
There are thousands of American troops in northeast Syria as the nation continues to undergo tremendous change in its search for stability.
However, even with a ceasefire and hostage deal in place, the ongoing War in Gaza involving Israel is an important point to watch.
The next Defense Secretary under Trump will have to consider future Israeli military actions if the agreement fails and help Israel with other regional conflicts, including dealing with Lebanon and Iran, and the hostilities of Houthi groups attacking the Red Sea.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has warned Israel about the risks of not protecting civilians.

How Many Secretaries of Defense Were Under Trump?
There were two Defense Secretaries when Donald Trump was in office for his first term:
- Following a 43-year military career, James N. Mattis would find himself as the U.S. Secretary of Defense for most of Trump’s first term.
- Mark T. Esper also served as the 27th Secretary of Defense, after being voted in from his temporary position holding the title towards the end of Trump’s first term.
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