Petraeus Nominated to Lead CentCom
[Guest post by DRJ]
Defense Secretary Gates has recommended General David Petraeus to lead US Central Command with General Ray Odierno slotted to replace Petraeus in Iraq:
“U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus will be nominated to be the next commander of the U.S. Central Command, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Wednesday.
Petraeus, who is currently serving as the commander of the Multinational Force in Iraq and has overseen a dramatic reduction in violence, will replace U.S. Navy Adm. William Fallon, who abruptly retired in March after it was reported that he had substantial policy disagreements with U.S. President George W. Bush over Iran.
As commander of the Central Command, Petraeus would have responsibility over U.S. military operations in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa, including both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Gates said he recommended Petraeus because of his experience within the region as well as his experience dealing with the asymmetric warfare that characterizes the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I am absolutely confident he’s the best man for the job,” Gates said.
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno has been nominated to replace Petraeus as the top U.S. commander in Iraq. Odierno previously served as the commander of the Multinational Corps in Baghdad, the U.S. military’s number two position in Iraq.
“He’s known to the Iraqis and has very current experience,” Gates said of Odierno. “He clearly was Gen. Petraeus’s right-hand man during this last year.”
Gates doesn’t foresee any change in the strategy in Iraq.
Hopefully MoveOn.org plans a change in strategy. If not, its organizers are consulting the rhyming dictionary for words that rhyme with Odierno as I write this.
— DRJ
The propmotion of Petraeus is an admission the US military and DOD believe we cannot win in Iraq. His high placed friends do not want Petraeus tainted by defeat so they promoted him out of his current position. No wonder he dodged the Senate questions regarding winning.
Bob (d172f0) — 4/23/2008 @ 5:25 pmUh, he’ll still be commanding the Iraq effort, Bob. He’s simply taking one step up the chain of command.
Me, I can’t wait for the confirmation hearings and the vote. Especially Senators Clinton and Obama.
Pablo (99243e) — 4/23/2008 @ 5:32 pmI think I know what MoveOn’s next strategy is going to be. I saw one blog today which claimed that Petraeus’s promotion is another sign that Bush will invade Iran. (Presumably, if you think Petraeus is a yes man who says what Bush wants to hear rather than tell him the military truth, then you also think he won’t object when Bush decides to start a war with Iran on October 31. [date not chosen at random])
kishnevi (3cf898) — 4/23/2008 @ 5:58 pmBOb is a mental midget. Levi, changing your name does not make a laughable “argument” any better.
JD (5f0e11) — 4/23/2008 @ 6:00 pmInvasion…?
Another Drew (8018ee) — 4/23/2008 @ 8:08 pmMilitary action of some kind…A lot more certain with a new hat at CentCom. Fallon’s gone because he was absolutely against any kind of action against the Iranians that didn’t originate at State. With Patraeus heading up CentCom, at least the Iranians now have to consider that there might be some action, of some type, against them somewhere.
Speak softly, and carry a big stick.
Works much better when you have a stick.
Fallon wasn’t a stick.
Why 10/31?
Another Drew (8018ee) — 4/23/2008 @ 8:10 pm11/4 is the anniversary of the Iranian Hostage Crisis!
Another Drew: what date is traditionally linked to monsters, bogeymen, and other nightmarish fantasies?
kishnevi (a117ab) — 4/23/2008 @ 8:56 pmThis was written a long time ago. I’ve always said that GW and this entire group need to be stripped of all power. If you think his decision to go to war has to be by some majority confirmation vote of both the senate and congress then you’ve been living in a cave for the past six years.
GW and this administration have given this president full power to decide when and where he wants to go to war. To hell with what is best for the American public he knows what’s best for him and the Bush dynasty.
I’d have to agree that the date of Oct 31 is a pretty good date that GW will declare war on Iran. I have to agree because that will sway the election and the continuance of the Republican Nazi right wing.
The destruction of My America is complete.
Papa_K (28e45c) — 4/24/2008 @ 6:40 amPapa K – Go back to your cave. After you have mastered starting a fire, turn your efforts towards productive uses of the wheel.
The Leftists, more specifically, the Obamatrons, seem to be in all out high dudgeon. That smackdown in PA must have hurt.
JD (75f5c3) — 4/24/2008 @ 6:50 amI cannot wait to see Hillary and Baracky have to vote on this again. Priceless.
JD (75f5c3) — 4/24/2008 @ 6:52 amkish…
Another Drew (f9dd2c) — 4/24/2008 @ 9:06 amSorry, completely skipped my mind – stopped doing that years ago.
Horrors, in my world, usually germinate from Dem Primary Contests. Those are happening almost every day.
But, for comic relief, we have film of Nancy, Harry, Chuckie, and the Hero of Chappaquiddic almost daily.
Papa_K, is there an english translation of your comment available?
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/24/2008 @ 10:04 am