President-elect Donald Trump's choice of Defense Secretary is surprising; two key figures in his Middle East strategy are revealed.

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

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

On November 12, the Associated Press reported that Trump announced he had chosen veteran Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host, as Secretary of Defense for his new administration.

The President-elect declared: "I am honored to announce the nomination of Pete Hegseth to serve in the cabinet as Secretary of Defense. Pete has dedicated his life to the military and the nation. He is tough, intelligent, and a true believer in America First."

The appointment will take effect after confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Pete Hegseth, a former member of the U.S. National Guard who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, is currently 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 Trump was also revealed by the media. Accordingly, the President-elect is expected to appoint Republican Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota to this position.

As Secretary of DHS, Ms. Noem will lead the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These are two key agencies in President Trump's plan to crack down on illegal immigration.

Kristi Noem, born on November 30, 1971, was elected Governor of South Dakota in 2018 after representing the state in Congress . She frequently appeared with Trump during his campaign rallies and even ran for his vice presidential running mate.

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

The president-elect emphasized: "He will be a fearless fighter for the constitutional rights of all Americans, while ensuring the highest level of national security and preserving peace through strength."

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

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

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

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