Why Rex Tillerson?

Since becoming Exxon's CEO in 2006, and before that as head of the oil giant's international division, Tillerson has presided over operations in some 200 countries, positions that put him in contact with a global rogues' gallery of strongmen from Russia's Vladimir Putin to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, Chad's Idriss Deby to Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh. That experience, according to friends and allies, makes him well-suited to go toe to toe with some of the world's nastiest people.

Why is Rex Tillerson as secretary of state so controversial?

Boosters of Donald Trump's candidate to be the next secretary of state talk about his experience leading one of the world's largest companies -- and so do his detractors. Fans of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson say running a global energy company equips the 64-year-old with the management tools needed to represent the US abroad.

The Latest: Trump praises Speaker Ryan at Wisconsin rally

President-elect Dona... . FILE- In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson shake hands at a signing ceremony of an agreement between... Two Colorado electors are appealing a judge's ruling that they must vote for the presidential candidate who won their state's popular vote.

Donald Trump’s pick to head State Department recommended by lobbyist to Exxon, Russia

Late Monday, President-elect Donald Trump's transition team quietly announced that it was postponing his first post-election conference, meant to address potential conflicts of interests for the incoming commander-in-chief. Then early Tuesday, Trump announced his selection of Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State and lined up former Republican government officials with ties to ExxonMobil and Russia's state-run gas company to vouch for the career oil man with no experience in government.

The Latest: Brazil’s Temer and Trump discuss economic growth

In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson shake hands at a signing ceremony of an agreement between state-controlled Russian oil company Rosneft and ExxonMobil at the Black Sea port of Tuapse, southern Russia.

Trump picks ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state

President-elect Donald Trump has picked as his secretary of state Rex Tillerson, the chief executive of ExxonMobil, setting up a possible confrontation with members of his own party in the Senate, according to a person involved in the transition. Since Tillerson's name emerged as a candidate for the post, leading Republicans have expressed reservations about his years of work in Russia and the Middle East on behalf of the multinational petroleum company.

Russiaa s back, bigger and badder than ever

Back in March 2014, with Russian-speaking forces patrolling the streets of Crimea, until then a part of the sovereign country of Ukraine, I wrote an article arguing that, "We have entered a new Cold War." Fast-forward to this surreal moment in American - and global - history, and it appears that Vladimir Putin's Russia is handily winning this Cold War 2.0. This is no longer a battle between Communism and capitalism/democracy.

Top GOP leader: Senate to probe reports of Russia hacking

The top Senate Republican said Monday that Congress will investigate a CIA assessment that Russia interfered in the November election on behalf of Donald Trump, an intelligence conclusion that the incoming commander in chief has called "ridiculous." Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters that an inquiry would be conducted by the Senate intelligence panel.

Tillerson choice for State Department raises questions of corporate vs. national interest

ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson speaks during the IHS CERAWeek 2015 energy conference in Houston, Texas April 21, 2015. REUTERS/Daniel Kramer/File Photo The central question facing Exxon Mobil Corp Chief Executive Rex Tillerson if he becomes U.S. secretary of state is whether a lifelong oil man with close ties to Russia can pivot from advancing corporate interests to serving the national interest.

Obama Orders Investigation Into Election-Related Hacking Attacks

President Barack Obama has directed U.S. intelligence agencies to conduct an investigation into hacking attacks related to the U.S. election and issue a report before he leaves office next month, White House counterterrorism adviser Lisa Monaco said. The report, which will be provided to Congress but not necessarily made public, will examine what impact hacking by Russia may have had on the election last month, Monaco said Friday at a breakfast in Washington hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.

Trump: Russian hacking claims – ridiculous’

Donald Trump on Sunday called a recent CIA assessment of Russian hacking "ridiculous" and says he's not interested in getting daily intelligence briefings - an unprecedented public dismissal by a president-elect of the nation's massive and sophisticated intelligence apparatus. Trump's remarks come as key congressional Republicans joined Democrats in demanding a bipartisan investigation into the Kremlin's activities and questioned consideration of Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson - who has close business ties with Moscow - as head of the State Department.

We must know if Russia tipped the U.S. presidential election | Editorial

Just 27 days ago, in what was essentially a Paul Revere midnight ride through cyberspace, the director of the National Security Agency announced that the United States is Russia's play toy. "There shouldn't be any doubts in anybody's mind: This was not something that was done casually, this was not something that was done by chance, this was not a target that was selected purely arbitrarily," Admiral Michael Rogers said of hacked material released throughout the 2016 campaign.

Position Taken? Transition sources say Trump will nominate ExxonMobil …

President-elect Donald Trump will nominate ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state, according to two sources close to the transition. The sources warned that nothing is official until the president-elect announces it, which is likely to come over the next few days.

Trump rejects intel, lawmakers vow probe of Russia hacking

President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday called a recent CIA assessment of Russian hacking "ridiculous" and says he's not interested in getting daily intelligence briefings - an unprecedented rejection of the nation's massive and sophisticated intelligence apparatus. Trump's remarks come as key congressional Republicans joined Democrats in demanding a bipartisan investigation into the Kremlin's activities and questioned consideration of Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson - who has close business ties with Moscow - as head of the State Department.