WASHINGTON DC, KOMPAS.com – President United States of America (USA) is elected Joe Biden is expected to take a historic step by choosing a woman as the Defense Minister lead Pentagon for the first time.
Launch Associated Press (AP), Michele Flournoy, a politically moderate Pentagon veteran and considered by U.S. officials to be the top choice for the position.
Defense Minister latest US President just fired Donald Trump is Mark Esper amid problems of withdrawal of troops and use of the military to quell civil unrest.
If true, Flournoy is expected to face shrinking Pentagon budgets and potential military involvement in the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine.
Democrats have long sought to appoint a woman to the top position in a department that did not open military jobs to female members until about 5 years ago.
Flournoy himself has become the candidate Hilary Clinton hoped to win in the 2016 election.
According to an anonymous official, Flournoy’s name appeared earlier as a pioneer of the Cabinet Biden.
The Ministry of Defense itself is one of 3 Cabinet bodies (Ministry of Finance and Veterans), all of which have never been led by women.
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Who is Flournoy?
Flournoy, 59, who is known as a calm man who can control himself, has supported strong military cooperation abroad.
Flournoy himself has served several times at the Pentagon since the 1990s and most recently as Deputy Minister of Defense for policy from 2009 to 2012.
In addition, he also serves on the Board of Booz Allen Hamilton, a military contractor who could cause concern in some circles of lawmakers.
However, his moderate views can ensure broad bipartisan relations in a position that requires reassurance from the Senate.
Apart from Flournoy, several other names were also mentioned including the former head of the homeland security department Jeh Johnson.
However, choosing a female candidate would be in line with Joe Biden’s campaign promise to have a diverse Cabinet.
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Over the past year, Flournoy has been outspoken about America’s foreign and defense policy.
He favors closer international cooperation after 4 years of Trump’s ‘America First’ policy which makes him even more distrustful and critical of US allies.
Flournoy is a co-founder of Westexec Advisors, a consulting firm that provides geopolitical risk analysis and advisory services to corporate clients.
He also worked with several former senior government officials such as Antony Blinken, a former Deputy Home Minister who is now Biden’s foreign policy adviser.
Also military experts such as retired Army General Vincent Brooks who led US forces in Korea until 2019.
In 2007, Flournoy also helped create a think tank called the Center for a New American Security.
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