Rumours abound that General David Petraeus will leave his post as commander of NATO
forces in Afghanistan. Early editions of The Times quoted Pentagon press secretary Geoff
Morrell saying that “General Petraeus is doing a brilliant job but he’s been going virtually non-stop since 9/11 [and] he can’t do it forever”. According to The Times,
President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates are searching for a replacement. And, says the newspaper, there has apparently even been talk of Petraeus succeeding Gates as Defense
Secretary.
Really? I find it extremely unlikely that President Obama, who has had a testy relationship with the military, including Petraeus, would promote the Army officer to Defence Secretary, and waive regulations barring ex-officers from holding the post. Inside the administration, CIA chief Leon Panetta is the only real option, with outsiders like Colin Powell, Richard Danzig, and Chuck Hagel likely to make the list.
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