US ELECTION 2020

Joe Biden names longtime aide Antony Blinken as secretary of state

Antony Blinken served in the past two Democratic presidencies
Antony Blinken served in the past two Democratic presidencies
MANDEL NGAN/AFP

Joe Biden has chosen a long-standing foreign policy adviser as his chief diplomat, a conventional selection that underlines the president-elect’s focus on restoring America’s traditional alliances.

Even though President Trump has yet to concede defeat, Mr Biden, 78, will announce the first members of his cabinet tomorrow.

Among that group is said to be Antony Blinken as secretary of state. Mr Blinken, 58, is a highly-experienced diplomat who served through most of the past two Democratic presidencies.

He was deputy secretary of state for the final two years of the Obama administration and served as Mr Biden’s vice-presidential national security adviser for four years.

He was Mr Biden’s chief foreign policy adviser throughout his presidential campaign and during his failed campaign for the presidency in