President-elect Donald Trump's surprise pick for Secretary of Defense, two key factors for Middle East strategy 'revealed'

US President-elect Donald Trump is continuing to finalize personnel for his upcoming administration, which will begin operating on January 20, 2025.

Mr. Pete Hegseth will become the US Secretary of Defense in a few months, under the Donald Trump administration. (Source: AP)

On November 12, AP news agency reported that Mr. Trump announced that he had chosen veteran Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host, as Secretary of Defense for the new administration.

"I am honored to announce the nomination of Pete Hegseth to serve in my Cabinet as Secretary of Defense," the president-elect said. "Pete has dedicated his life to the military and to his country. He is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First."

The appointment will take effect upon confirmation by the US Senate.

Pete Hegseth, who served in the U.S. Army National Guard and served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is the host of Fox & Friends Weekend. He joined Fox News in 2014.

On the same day, the identity of the US Secretary of Homeland Security (DHA) under Mr. Trump was also revealed by the media. Accordingly, the President-elect is expected to appoint Republican Governor of South Dakota, Ms. Kristi Noem, to hold this position.

As DHS secretary, Noem will lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), two agencies at the heart of Trump’s plan to crack down on illegal immigration.

Ms. Kristi Noem, born November 30, 1971, was elected Governor of South Dakota in 2018 after representing the state in Congress , often appeared with Mr. Trump on the campaign trail and ran to become his vice presidential candidate.

On the same day, according to AFP, Mr. Trump also announced that former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe would be the head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) .

"He will be a fearless warrior who fights for the constitutional rights of all Americans, while ensuring the highest level of national security and preserving peace through strength," the president-elect stressed.

Also on November 12, the Washington Post reported that President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would nominate former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, 69, as US Ambassador to Israel .

In addition, Mr. Trump also appointed close friend and campaign donor, real estate investor Steve Witkoff, 67, as special envoy to the Middle East .

Mr Trump ran for US president on a pledge to end conflicts abroad, including the war in Gaza that erupted after Hamas attacked Israel last year.

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