United States: Who is Lloyd Austin, the next Minister of Defense?

Future Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Wilmington, Delaware on December 9, 2020. REUTERS - KEVIN LAMARQUE

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It is this Tuesday that the confirmation hearing of Lloyd Austin chosen by Joe Biden to lead the Pentagon must be held.

This former four-star general, if confirmed by the Senate, will become the first African-American to head the Department of Defense. 

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It is one of the names that has circulated the most after the victory of Joe Biden last November to integrate the future administration.

The 46th President of the United States announced his choice on December 7, proof of the confidence he has in this former general, now 67 years old.

See also: United States: Biden chooses a former African-American general to head the Pentagon

Because Lloyd Austin has already worked with Joe Biden, when the latter was vice-president and the former general occupied the post of general commander of the American forces in Iraq until the end of 2011.

Appointed in 2013 at the head of the central command of the American army, he became the first man of color to lead the famous Centcom.

A post that Jim Matthis, Trump's former defense minister from 2017 to 2019, also held before him.

Lloyd Austin, trained at the prestigious West Point Academy, left the military in 2016, after 40 years in its service.

Then begins a life in the private sector.

He integrates in particular the board of directors of a military company, which will reproach him his detractors after the announcement of his appointment to lead the Pentagon.

If the Senate confirms the choice of Joe Biden, Lloyd Austin will become on this occasion the first African-American to lead the most powerful army in the world.

See also: United States: progressives and African-Americans await Joe Biden at the turn

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