Defense

Key defense-minded lawmakers are hopeful the incoming defense secretary will force Pentagon reforms, but analysts say domestic politics and crises abroad will dominate his tenure.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., took to the Senate floor on Feb. 13 before the chamber confirmed Ash Carter, 95-3, to say he expects Carter will be frozen out of most major national security and foreign policy decisions.

Still, McCain believes Carter will be granted freedom by the White House to manage the Pentagon. And in his signature fashion, McCain has a few goals for an inward-focused Secretary Carter.

Analysts: Carter To Focus on Threats, Hill