U.S. President Barack Obama has nominated his deputy national security adviser, Tony Blinken, to be the deputy secretary of state.
Blinken must be confirmed to the post by the Senate.
Blinken worked as an adviser to Vice President Joe Biden and has been involved in national security issues at the White House since 2009.
Blinken has helped form U.S. policy on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Iranian nuclear program.
He also worked in the White House under President Bill Clinton.