Breaking: Petraeus to Centcom
General David Petraeus has been tapped to replace Admiral Fox Fallon at Centcom. But CNN buries the lead: the real story is that LTG Odierno is headed back to Iraq to replace Petraeus.
Assorted non-sequitors (in rough order of mental occurrance):
1) This is a bad idea. Who would want to be the new Iraq commander while working for the old Iraq commander?
2) Eh, ok, maybe Odierno. Better hope those Odierno conversion stories are true.
2a) Either way, we're about to find out.
3) What happened to Chiarelli? Charlie was sure he was going to get the MNF-I nod. Does he move to vice chief (Odierno's current, and short-lived, post)? Ugh, what a waste that'd be. Let's hope he stayes as Gates' MA for a while longer.
4) Just how much attention will King David pay to Afghanistan? (Can you put a decimal point on "slim to none"?)
More to come. Leave your idle speculation in the comments.
Update: We told you they read this blog: Chiarelli is going to be Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (and pick up a fourth star). One of Charlie's more knowledgable friends assures her that this is, in fact, a good move as it should allow him to make some big changes in the Big Green Army. Raise your hand if you're holding your breath...
Update II: And while we're racking up assurances: Petraeus is said to have more than a passing interest in Afghanistan. Good. So do we.
Update III: Be sure to check out AM's separate post regarding "IRAQCOM."
Update IV: Danger Room has a pretty good round-up of initial reactions.
13 comments:
Makes sense to me. It consolidates OIF as the preeminent theater under the former CMNF-I (although it should be noted that the acting CENTCOM boss also came from that milieu), and puts Odierno back doing operations after he capably executed them (instead of his more lackluster performance as ID commander).
In a sense, both "earned" it. The USAF and USN brass probably pooped themselves when they heard the news.
AP says Chiarelli to take the VCSA position. He's a good guy, hope that he will be able to do good things there. As for Petraeus, well, let's see if he can elevate his eyes above Iraq and address the regional challenges instead of just the military-political mess in which he was previously engaged.
My first thought was reeeeally bad idea, for a variety of reasons.
Primary among these is the fact that CENTCOM is not Iraq. CENTCOM is not Iraq and Afghanistan. CENTCOM is not Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran. CENTCOM is about 15 major issues on top of 50 intermediate ones on top of too many minor ones to count. Is it really a good idea to move the guy who has spent his past tour worried solely about one of those major issues directly into worrying about all of them?
It's not a slur on Gen. Petraeus, but it's only natural for someone who has spent years focused on one problem to naturally continue to focus on that one problem.
In a sense, both "earned" it. The USAF and USN brass probably pooped themselves when they heard the news.
I doubt that. The USN and USAF have been severely overrepresented in the COCOM leadership department in recent years.
I must admit I'm most interested in how this will play with Afghanistan. Anyone know well Petraeus and Craddock (EUCOM CDR) get along? I suspect they'll have to work together to solve the continuing problems with NATO in Afghanistan.
Mike, you are so correct. Note what I *just* posted before seeing your comment.
While not possessing any deep knowledge of military affairs, I agree with Mike and Abu's analysis
What does this mean for inter-service issues? Is the resulting command structure in CENTCOM going to be good or bad from a joint perspective? Does it matter?
4) Just how much attention will King David pay to Afghanistan? (Can you put a decimal point on "slim to none"?)
Getting a bit snarky, no?
Why don't you give the guy a little credit. In the past year, "King David" done one of the best jobs of an American military leader since Eisenhower. He's saved lives and did a great job in starting to turn this mess around. Don't forget how bad things were before he got there.
Maybe you can give him a little credit.
I'm pretty sure that he realizes that we're in two wars and need to handle regional issues on top of it.
I wonder if, given this promotion, it might be worth reviewing some of Petraeus' more recent testimony before Congress. The Iran-centric nature of a lot of the statements are somewhat worrisome to those of us that think two wars are enough, thank you.
"Why don't you give the guy a little credit. In the past year, "King David" done one of the best jobs of an American military leader since Eisenhower. He's saved lives and did a great job in starting to turn this mess around. Don't forget how bad things were before he got there."
While not denying the mental acumen of GEN Petraeus, one cannot forget that the Sunni Awakening was as much a result of AQI wearing out its welcome with the Sunni community by its continual targeting of tribal leaders and cultural faux pas such as its leaders' demands for brides. Let us not forget that the Shia ceasefire was the direct result of the loss of popular support after JAMs fight with Badr over control of the holy sites in Najaf.
GEN Petraeus has accomplished a great deal, but he also had the fortune to walk into a perfect storm of enemy mistakes.
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