he was in command of central command as syria started exploding significantly. ay is general austin has a feel for the pentagon. he has been an endanger on the world stage as the commander of central command he dealt with other governments, other armies, ambassadors across the spectrum. he knows the building, that's for sure. he understands the transformative requirements within the department of defense. as a combat veteran he knows the issues associated with putting our young men and women in harm's way. the downsides, i think, and i think general austin would admit this, he's introverted, he's very quiet. i don't think you're going to see the press availability, he may lead that to his deputy secretary of defense. he is very thoughtful and he will be connected as part of a team. so those could be strengths or weaknesses. some will say because he does have a military background that he will trend more towards obeying the orders of the president. knowing lloyd, and knowing how he acted in iraq, that's certainly not the case. he will stand up for what is right. h

the guy was commander of central command which is arguably the most important command the american militaryin the middle east so they are not just going to put anybody of commander of central command, particularly during a time of conflict. so, it sounds like he is well qualified, then. it is interesting to see quite a broad selection of voices approving of him. let's talk about race, then. the first black person to lead the pentagon if he is confirmed, what would be the significance of that? technically, colin powell was the chairman of thejoint chiefs of staff back in the bush administration, the first bush administration, so he spent time up there too in the pentagon, but it is really important, simply because when a military has and enjoys and exalted position in american society and black people served in military through the very beginning with the revolutionary war, actually revolting from you guys. so black folks have always served in the military, but often times, especially during the early years of the republic, there were times in which we were not even considered first—class ci

the guy was commander of central command which is arguably the most important command in american militaryn the middle east, so they are notjust going to put anybody of commander of central command, especially during a time of conflict. so he sounds like he is well qualified, and it's interesting to see such a broad selection of voices approving of him. let's talk about race. the first black person to lead the pentagon, if he is confirmed. what would be the significance of that? technically, colin powell was the chairman of thejoint chiefs of staff, back during the bush administration, so he was up there in the pentagon as well but it's really important because when the military has an exalted position in american society and black people serve in the military from jump street from the very beginning with the revolutionary war, revolting you guys, and so black folks have always served in the military, and oftentimes in the military, and oftentimes in the early years of the republic, there are times where we we re republic, there are times where we were not considered first—class citizens,

central command serving in both iraq and afghanistan.uestion is what kind of political buzz saw he may run into in the confirmation process because he will need a congressional waiver. he's been out of the military less than seven years. and for the ranks it's an important point, the law requires a seven-year waiting period, if you will, because the idea has always been in this country that there is strong si civilian leadership in the u.s. military. they didn't want recently retired generals in the top positions. always a risk if you will being too cozy with those who you might have recently served with, not being able to take a step back and take a fresh look at things, these are reasons the law is in existence. there was a lot of concern because it was supposed to be a rare thing to grant a waiver, they recently did one for james mattis to be president trump's first secretary of defense. and the question in congress is do they want to approve another waiver so soon. before mattis they hadn't done it since 1950 with president trump --

central command he was the main military architect of the u.s. led offensive against islamic state in syria and iraq is also the one who candidly admitted the failure of a $500000000.00 training program in syria in 2015 it was shut down after producing just some 5 trained fighters instead of several 1000 that have been planned can you tell us what the total number of trained fighters remains it's a small number and. the ones that are in the fight is is is we're talking $44.00 or 5 is that still the goal to have about $12000.00 of them there is that still the goal what's the expectation then for them at the pace we're gone we want to reach the goal that we had initially establish yourself but but but the the overall goal is to make sure that we have enough mass to be able to get work done on the ground. meanwhile a potential stumbling block for austin last candidacy is the fact he only retired 4 years ago the u.s. law states an officer must have left the service at least 7 years prior to becoming secretary of defense but senior research fellow at

central command he was the main military architect of the u.s. led offensive against the islamic state in syria and iraq he was also the one who come to billy admitted the failure of a 500000000 dollars training program in syria back in 2015 it was shut done after producing some 5 trained fighters instead of the several thought isn't which been blown. can you tell us what the total number of trained fighters remains it's a small number and. the ones that are in the fight. is we're talking 445 so is that still the goal to have about $12000.00 of them there is that still the goal what's the expectation then for them at the pace we're gone we won't reach the goal that we had initially starbucks for ourselves but but the the overall goal is to make sure that we have enough mass to be able to get work done on the ground. let's discuss the appointment or at least proposed appointment with george to merely towards the senior research fellow at the global policy institute always good to see you george we just saw there is pretty famous footage by now gen

central command it was the main military architect of the u.s. led offensive against those that mix those in syria and iraq is why i don't remember for admitting a half 1000000000 dollar training program in syria had failed back in 2015 it was shot by a lot of producing literally a high level of trade fighters instead of the several 1000 planned. can you tell us what the total number of trained fighters remains it's a small number. the ones that are in the fight. is we're talking 445 so is that still the goal to have about $12000.00 of them there is that still the goal what's the expectation then for them at the pace we're gone we won't reach the goal that we had initially starbucks for shelves but but. the overall goal is to make sure that we have enough mass to be able to get work done on the ground. well meanwhile a potential stumbling block for lord austin's candidacy is the fact he only were tied 4 years ago u.s. law states an officer must have left the service at least 7 years before becoming secretary of defense but senior research fellow

central command it was the main military architect of the u.s. led offensive against the islamic state in syria and iraq it was also the one who kind of admitted the failure of a 500000000 dollar training program in syria back in 2015 it was shut down after producing some 5 trained fighters instead of the several thousands which had been planned can you tell us what the total number of trained fighters remains it's a small number. the ones that are in the fight. is is we're talking 445 so is that still the goal to have about $12000.00 of them there is that still the goal what's the expectation then for them at the pace we're going we want to reach the goal that we had initially established for swells but what about the the overall goal is to make sure that we have enough mass to be able to get work done on the ground. we're going to. thanks for joining us good to have you on the program with us today. admitted he saw in that clip to having failed with a 1000000000 dollar project to train syrian rebels to fondle eisel do you think that's going to

central command under president barack obama biden's promise to choose the most diverse cabinet in u.s. history if european security forces have shot at and detained u.n. security officials trying to reach the region the u.n. says the 4 officials who are assessing roads for delivering aid to refugee camps a government spokesman says the team drove through 2 checkpoints and ignored instructions not to be in the area or the 950000 people have now been displaced by the conflict in the northern region of ethiopia since early november you know some of the u.n. staffs were actually did in some way showed that when that happened. this country is not no man's land it has a government it only has difficulty in the roads so they are entitled to some of you know as new in mosul post move but then that is a. in kind of an intimacy expedition more now from admiral who is in sudan's capital to. lots of reports about the situation being are getting more difficult inside to grace up there are 3 criticisms leveled against each opens by international aid agencies and the other groups basically that to c

he was previously head of us central command to oversee us forces in iraq and afghanistan despite servinghe armies and the mid-1970s, his road back to the pentagon will face immense criticism. you took part in infamous 2015 congressional hearing where he admitted $500 million us program to train forces in serially produced 4 or 5 fighters. the new york times opinion section released a piece, boyd austin should not be secretary of defense. and the reaction to this plant picked by president-elect biden to choose someone to be the pentagon biden will have to deal with a number of other regional problems ahead of the political problems in washington. one of those sits across the persian gulf from where we are standing and that it iran was a country that pledged to continue nuclear and military aspirations. >> a fierce defender of the affordable care act have to be the department of health and human services. >> we need the aca more than ever. no country has done worse than ours but just as vigorously as the president and his administration are fighting to destroy the affordable care act we ar

central command under president barack obama when biden said he pved he could react well under pressurebiden wrote his many strengths and knowledge in the department of defense and our government are uniquely matched to the challenges and crises we face. he is the person we need in this moment. the required congressional waiver has been granted only twice in the past, most recently when congress approved president donald trump's nomination of jim mattis in 2017. >>> biden says he aims to vaccinate 100 million americans for covid-19 during the first 100 days in his administration. >> my first 100 days won't end the covid-19 virus, i can't promise that. i'm absolutely convinced in 100 days we can change the course of the disease and change life in america for the better. >> biden held a news conference on tuesday to introduce the top members of his team that will deal with the virus once he takes office on january 20th. he said the members will be ready on day one to spare no effort to get this pandemic under control, so americans can get back their work, their lives and their loved ones.

he led the fight in iraq as the head of central command, he's a west point grad, a former four-star general. the problem is he was a four-star general four years ago and the law demands seven years of a gap. the law is there to ensure our military is run by civilians and not the military. the civilians who used to be generals they're worried about, that another not too close to the soldiers they used to work with. you let seven years go by and the top structure has changed. now congress can issue a waiver but that's only happened twice in american history and once was very recent, jim mattis was the general in the marine corps before becoming president trump's defense secretary. those who opposed putting a general in the secretary of defense's office then still oppose it now. in an upopinion piece one of biden's former advisers says general austin is a capable and respected former command earp of central command, but he only retired in 2016. that's not long enough. a civilian, not a recently retired general, should lead the pentagon. a lot of democrats opposed mattis on principle, big names

central command from 2013 to 2016.eople say he is qualified for this job, and you add marcia fudge to the mix, there are mor african-americans filling out the pix and this comes after civil rights groups and the congressional black caucus wanted him to have a more diverse cabinet, especially when it comes to the top positions in his administration. this pic is o seen as part that. i should say people fans of general austin should not be seen as someone picks because he was african-american but rather he is an example of african-americ contributions to the military. judy: and we have more reporting to come later on the program from nick schifrin, but fve now, thank much. yamiche: thanks so much. stephanie: i'm stephanie sy with "newshour" west. we will return to judy woodruff and the full program after the latest headlines. joe biden is said to replace the secretary of agriculture. a former governor of iowa, he was an early supporter of president-elect biden.e he has been head of the u.s. dairy export council since 2017

he led the fight in iraq as head of central command.a west point grad and a former four-star general. the problem is he was a four-star general four years ago, and the law requires a seven-year gap. the law is there for a reason, to ensure our military is run by civilians and the civilians who used to be generals aren't too close to the soldiers they used to command. let seven years go by and the top structure of the pentagon will have changed. now congress can issue a waiver, but that's only happened twice in american history. once was very recent, jim mattis was a general in the marine corps, shortly before becoming president trump's chief of staff. and those who oppose putting a general in the secretary of defense's office oppose it now. one biden former adviser said general austin is capable and respected former commander of central command but he retired only in 2016. that's not long enough. a civilian, not a recently retired general should run the pentagon. when the mattis waiver came up for a vote in congress, a lot of democratic

floated up as a popular contender the other name last weeko retired army general former head of us central command through 2016. but austin requires if you are active in the last seven years you have a waiver from the full majority to make it happen. that's a tricky proposition given the current makeup of those who don't refer to administration and throw them a bone or the democrats may say where we puttingy in those words in the middle east where she essentially ran. it would beng interesting but the fact is that is very traditional from the secretary place and put in the secretary of defense within hours of the pentagon working but especially given the georgia political run off the windows of those i can tell early january carefully. host: senior pentagon correspondent cap next from minneapolis welcom >>caller. heard last night president is reay hollowing out the pentagon is much as hean to t in any of political appointments ilude see one - - including the isys task force. can anything be done to stop this is it just to take me the information in the biden administration could be getting? and ju

commander in iraq during the surge, and also during the withdrawal, and served as the head of central commandver the whole middle east and central asia region. it was during that time that he and biden worked quite closely together under the obama administration and had a strong relationship, and also ended up leaving on the efforts of isis. he brings a lot of expertise in areas that will continue to be central for the united states, including middle east engagement, afghanistan, counterterrorism, and brings a lot of logistical expertise to the position. marco: and he's black, which sends a different kind of message to the people of the united states, who are accusing the institution of a sickly being institutionally racist. -- of basically being institutionally racist. >> it is notable. biden is trying to have a diverse team around him and lloyd austin will be the first african-american to serve as defense secretary. it is notable for the defense position in particular, about 40% of the u.s. military is made up of nonwhite members, so it is a notch to the diversity of the military, but also

central command under president barack obama when bidenaid he proved he could react well under pressure. he credits austin with designing and executing a campaign that ultimately beat back isis. biden wrote, austin's many strengths and his intimate knowledge of the department of defense and our government are uniquely matched to the challenges and crises we face. he is the person we need in this moment. the required waiver has only ever been granted twice. most recently when marine general jim mattis was confirmed as president donald trump's first pentagon chief. >>> trump's campaign to overturn the election results has just gotten harder with the u.s. supreme court throwing out a long shot legal challenge. the decision came tuesday on the date known as "the safe harbor deadline," when all states must finalize their vote tallies. the top court unanimously dismissed a bid by republicans to reverse trump's loss in pennsylvania. the state's 20 electors are set to cast their votes for biden next monday. u.s. media characterized the loss as a near-fatal blow for efforts to invalidate biden's

central command fro20 to20 . add marcia fudge to the mix, and you have there more african-americans filling outc thabinet pics of president-elect biden. this comes after civil rights groups and the congressional black caucus wanted m to hav a more diverse cabinet, especially when it came to the top positions in his administration.s so thcretary of defense pick is seen as part of that. people who are fans of general austin say he should not be seen as someone picked because he wan african-amerut rather that he is someone who is an example to have the contributions of african-americans to the military. >> and we have a little more reporting to come a litle later on the program from our nick mischifrin. e, for now, thank you very much. >> reporter: thank you so much. >> woodruff: in the day's others news, the u.reme court brushed aside republican attempts to block president- elect biden's win in pennsylvania. that came as texas attorney general ken paxton asked the high court to invalidate biden's electoravotes in g

central command and biden wrote in the op-ed that austin gained his confidence by not only being a verycommander on the battlefield but also a diplomat in overseeing the withdrawal of u.s. troops from iraq. there might be a one -- might be one heck up. these are positions that require confirmation. in austin's case, he requires something else from congress, which is a waiver because u.s. law says a person needs to be out of the military for at least seven years before becoming defense secretary. austin has only been four years out of uniform so he would require congress to buy in to giving him a waiver, which recently was just used for trump's first defense secretary, jim mattis. >> heidi castro and a woman can, delaware. british health -- in wilmington, delaware. british health chiefs say the rollout will be a marathon, not a sprint. this report in london. >> it is happening. a turning point in the global fight against a virus that has killed more than a million people around the world. margaret keenan became history, becoming the first person to be vaccinated outside a trial. she enco

he led the fight in iraq as the head of central command and west point grad and former four-star general. under u.s. law is too military and not enough civilian. he was a four-star general four years ago and the law requires a person to be a civilian for seven years before he or she can become the secretary of defense. the law is there for a reason to ensure our military is run by civilians and that civilians who used to be generals aren't too close to the soldiers they used to command. let seven years ago go by and the top structure of the pentagon tends to change. congress can issue a waiver for biden's qhois bchoice but only d twice in american history. jim mattis was the general in charge of the marine corps shortly before becoming president trump's secretary of defense and those who opposed putting a general in as the secretary of defense offices then still oppose it now. when the mattis waiver went up for a vote, lots of democratic senators said no, big names like senator warren, senator sanders, senator duckworth, herself, a veteran, booker, durbin, gillibrand all voted no in the

military central command which oversees troops across the middle east central asia and parts of south asia while his impressive resume may make the west point graduate look like the perfect fit for defense secretary to the dismay of progressives and into war activists there is plenty of cause. traverse surrounding austin as a general lloyd austin was one of the individuals who spearheaded the invasion of iraq in 2003 and was involved in the highly criticized war from beginning to end in addition austin played a key role in arming so-called rebel groups in an effort to overthrow syria's president assad when the program failed last an actively campaign to resurrect it austin built a personal relationship with joe biden which began in 2014 when the president elect was v.p. during that time austin was credited for initiating an international coalition against isis the same year he backed immunity for u.s. troops from war crimes prosecutions by the government of afghanistan right after retiring the former general took a seat on the board of raytheon technologies an arms benefactor which sp

central command that the president barack obama. level inquiry into last year's mass shooting at 2 new zealand mosques is found failings by the paintings and intelligence it says nothing could have stopped the attack australian gunman brenton terran to serving life in prison without parole for murdering $51.00 in march of last year the world commission has made dozens of recommendations including setting up a new national security and intelligence agency ocean at least this roughly $800.00 page report can be distilled into one simple premise with some new zealanders should be safe anyone who goes new zealand harm regardless of race religion sexual orientation gender should be safe new zealanders deserve a system that does its best to keep you safe and that is what we are committed to building. when haye has more now from christchurch. very long and detailed reports that has now been tabled in parliament and released to the public will mice a 100 pages long hundreds of people interviewed hundreds of submissions received a very exhaus

central command under president barack obama biden has promised to choose the most diverse cabinet in u.s. history. well the united states the european union and a number of latin american countries say they won't recognize the results of that as well as parliamentary election allies of president nicolas maduro won the poll what's the opposition boycotted our latin america editor of the c.n.n. . extremely low turnout in sunday's legislative elections was a stinging blow for president nicolas maduro. and a victory for venezuela's opposition which had called for mass abstention you're the people didn't fall for the fraud or threats but now it's opposition you don't turn to show that his counterattack has teeth. all this week venezuelans at home and abroad are being asked to participate in a mainly own line consultation a kind of referendum it asks of in israel and to say if they want out and new fair and free elections as well as stronger international action to protect the israeli's democracy and its people from crimes against humanity trouble is most don't even have regular access to

forces in iraq before leaving central command, austin would be the first african american to run the pentagon. >> more than 40% of our active duty forces are people of color. it's long past time the department's leadership reflects that diversity. >> reporter: austin invoked those who had come before him: buffalo soldiers, tuskegee airmen, and his mentor, colin powell. >> as sir isaac newton famously said, "if i have seen a little further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." >> reporter: but the former general's nomination is facing resistance from some democrats who oppose passing the civilian waiver necessary to allow a former uniformed commander like austin to take a senior pentagon job. today even the senate's top democrat was noncommittal. >> i haven't talked to my colleagues yet about that. i want to hear what they have to say. >> reporter: congress has only granted the waiver twice before, most recently for president trump's first defense chief, former marine general james mattis. >> just as they did for secretary jim mattis, i ask the congress to grant a waiver for

central command. that means he will need a waiver from congress to lead the pentagon, since he has not been out of uniform the required seven years. tonight, some on the hill already say they're opposed. i believe very strongly there needs to be civilian control -- civilian oversight of the military. >> reporter: congress approved a waiver for president trump's first secretary of defense, retired general jim mattis. biden well aware this would become an issue. >> i would not be asking for this exception if had not -- if i did not believe this moment in our history didn't call for it. it does call for it. he is the person we need at this moment, in my view. >> reporter: austin making it clear he realizes the critical distinction between serving in uniform and serving as a civilian. >> i recognize that being a member of the president's cabinet requires a different perspective and unique responsibilities from a career in uniform. and i intend to keep this at the forefront of my mind. >> that was the scen

central command but his long tenure in the military may also be his as he'll because of course the u.s. military by long must be led by a civilian and lloyd austin has only been out of the forest for 4 years he needs to be out at least 7 years according to the law and that's why he would require a congressional waiver now the last one of these waivers went out to jim mattis which was not that long ago however the members of congress who voted them hand hadn't given another one of these waivers for 50 years prior and they said after approving madis that they would not be issuing another waiver any time soon so certainly lloyd austin has to face that challenge in his remarks today he said that he would approach the cabinet with a civilian perspective that he understands the merit of having a civilian controlled military but it again it is congress who he must convince come on ok thank you heidi and wilmington. the trump campaign is pinning its hopes on a lawsuit filed by the u.s. state of texas and backed by 17 of the states to overturn the presidential election results which of course f