Dan Caine: The Unconventional General in Trump's Spotlight

Dan Caine, a retired three-star general and Trump's surprise pick for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gained attention after their first meeting in Iraq. Known for his unconventional path, Caine seeks to keep the military apolitical while facing a potentially challenging Senate confirmation.

Dan Caine, a retired three-star general, found himself unexpectedly thrust into the limelight as President Donald Trump's choice for the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Their first meeting in Iraq in 2018 left a lasting impression on Trump, who was taken by Caine's confidence in quickly defeating the Islamic State.

Caine's military experience diverges from the traditional trajectory of Trump's top military adviser picks. Although he didn't rise beyond the deputy commander of a special operations task force, Trump's recent nomination has brought new attention to Caine's career and capabilities.

The nomination comes at a time of significant upheaval in the U.S. military, including the unexpected firing of Air Force General C.Q. Brown. While Caine is known for prioritizing missions over politics, the challenge will be maintaining this apolitical stance under Trump's potentially divisive influence.

(With inputs from agencies.)