Obama Cabinet Shuffle

[Nevins]

I looks like we are finally getting Gates's successor, and quite a bit more than we expected. Replacing Gates is Leon E. Panetta, now former head of the CIA. I do not know much about the man, and am reading up on him now. The biggest news, which comes WAY out of left field, is that our very own Gen. Petraeus will be stepping down from running the war in Afghanistan to take Panetta's slot. Thats right, everyone'es favorite American Army general is going to be the director of the CIA. I am very curious to see how this will affect both the defense budget and the CIA's image.

Source

[Kanaric]

Excellent choice for head of the CIA.

Did Petraeus retire from the army?

[GreyFox]

Will Petraeus have to resign his commission?

[Søren]

I assume that he will have to retire his commission, as the CIA director has always been a civilian. What I am most curious about is how Astan will shape up under another generals guidance.

Gen Hayden was CIA director while still serving in the USAF.

[Menelik_I]

Thats right, everyone'es favorite American Army general is going to be the director of the CIA. I am very curious to see how this will affect both the defense budget and the CIA's image.

Source

Isn't this going to cement the ''War on Terror'' mentality even more ?

How is this going to affect the CIA drone force and is the trend of war not actually fought by the US Army going to continue

[Nevins]

I assume that he will have to retire his commission, as the CIA director has always been a civilian. What I am most curious about is how Astan will shape up under another generals guidance.

[(s)AINT]

I don't think he resigns from the army. But very good decision.

[Nevins]

Yeah Soren is correct, from wiki:

Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (D/CIA) serves as the head of the Central Intelligence Agency, which is part of the United States Intelligence Community. The Director reports to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The Director is assisted by the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Director is a civilian or a general or flag officer of the armed forces[1] nominated by the President, with the concurring or nonconcurring recommendation from the Director of National Intelligence,[2] and must be confirmed by a majority vote of the Senate.[3] Statutes do not specifically set what rank an officer of the armed forces holds while in office, but trends leans to the officer appointed as a four-star general or admiral.

[Armenum]

The only reason I have some respect for Gates is that he was firmly against attacking Iran - and might have been the pivotal player in preventing such a war under Bush.

[Søren]

The only reason I have some respect for Gates is that he was firmly against attacking Iran - and might have been the pivotal player in preventing such a war under Bush.

He also seems to have made a creditable attempt at cutting DoD bureaucracy and waste.

[Armenum]

He also seems to have made a creditable attempt at cutting DoD bureaucracy and waste.

That too, though in my view, the US defence budget and military is still grossly large than necessary.

[Captain Jin]

Well hopefully Panetta can maintain the course Gates has set out. Gates was a very sensible and solid SecDef. Interesting choice for CIA director. Wowsers.

Interesting-- CENTCOM's replacement is Lt. General John Allen to head up the war in Afghanistan. This should be very intriguing. He's the first Marine to be taking over overall command of the theater (I think). It's also of note that his son was killed fighting in Afghanistan not long ago. He's a career infantry officer from the Marine Corps and served as an Aide to Camp to General Krulak during his tenure as Commandant (a rock solid Commandant). He was also commanding General of II MEF during OIF 06-08... haha that means he was running II MEF when I was attached to them in Iraq. Well, if our success there on the larger level as any indication because 06-08 was mainly during the surge and when we hampered the last major organized bastions of the insurgency. A Marine might just be what's needed.

Interesting changes all around.

That too, though in my view, the US defence budget and military is still grossly large than necessary.

Yeah let's reduce the military budget while engaged in two wars. Yeah, grossly larger than necessary huh? When would it be more necessary? Engaged in three or war or four or what? Oh wait we're practically there anyways with troops in the Horn of Africa, West Africa, and the Philippines as well as doing the majority heavy lifting in Libyan no-fly zone.

[mrmouth]

Well hopefully Panetta can maintain the course Gates has set out. Gates was a very sensible and solid SecDef. Interesting choice for CIA director. Wowsers.

I have to think that Panetta will do just that if Obama is going to put him in that position. I was a fan of Gates, and Panetta sounds similar. And they had an extensive work relationship. Panetta had to sign off on every drone strike, in real time, and Gates was briefed almost everyday by Panetta.

As for Petraeus, my first thought is that he can now have some down time, but knowing him, and the extensive relationships he has forged throughout the ME and Asia, he wont be in the office much.

I like it. Should be interesting.

And of course the GOP is criticizing the moves...

[Armenum]

Yeah let's reduce the military budget while engaged in two wars. Yeah, grossly larger than necessary huh? When would it be more necessary? Engaged in three or war or four or what? Oh wait we're practically there anyways with troops in the Horn of Africa, West Africa, and the Philippines as well as doing the majority heavy lifting in Libyan no-fly zone.

Given there is no more Soviet Union, US doesn't not need that huge military that it has. The threats in this day of age to America don't require such massive military force.

I mean, just look at this graph:



US can definitely afford to scale down its military.

[Nevins]

Given there is no more Soviet Union, US doesn't not need that huge military that it has. The threats in this day of age to America don't require such massive military force.

I mean, just look at this graph:



US can definitely afford to scale down its military.

We can if we also scale down our commitments, which is what Jin was pointing too.

[molonthegreat]

Maybe this is an move from Obama to try to curb Petraeus popularity by making him head of something that he isn't that familiar and something that isn't that flashy as him being the man in charge of Afghanistan when it's successful, reducing Petraeus chance of running for President this election or the one next.

[kentuckybandit]

Maybe this is an move from Obama to try to curb Petraeus popularity by making him head of something that he isn't that familiar and something that isn't that flashy as him being the man in charge of Afghanistan when it's successful, reducing Petraeus chance of running for President this election or the one next.

I could see this. Washington has many times been suspicious of Generals in the past (Sherman and MacArthur come to mind) and one way of keeping a closer hold on Petraeus without wasting his talent and experience would be to bring him home and put in incharge of the CIA, instead of far away commanding armies(voters). Though he has said he has no plans to run, and seems to be rather low key for a general, suspicion is a powerful force.

[Nevins]

I could see this. Washington has many times been suspicious of Generals in the past (Sherman and MacArthur come to mind) and one way of keeping a closer hold on Petraeus without wasting his talent and experience would be to bring him home and put in incharge of the CIA, instead of far away commanding armies(voters). Though he has said he has no plans to run, and seems to be rather low key for a general, suspicion is a powerful force.

They don't need to watch the man or be suspicious of him, he has made it very clear that he will not be running for office.

[kentuckybandit]

They don't need to watch the man or be suspicious of him, he has made it very clear that he will not be running for office.

No I agree, but we know American politics, and someone is probably making contingencies for that. The fact that he has been in charge in Iraq and Afghanistan (where the CIA will be most focused) puts him in great position to lead the agency.

[HissingNewt]

^I thought Petreaus had already said he didn't want to run for President?

I don't like to see Gates retire. I never hear anything bad about him (and I personally like him because he used to be the Texas A&M University President).