President Barack Obama is shuffling his team, moving CIA Director Leon Panetta to Defense Secretary, replacing Bush holdover Robert Gates and appointing Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in the Afghan war, to take Panetta’s old job at the intelligence agency.
Obama, according to the Associated Press, will promote Lt. Gen. John Allen to take over the Afghan war operation and appoint diplomat Ryan Crocker as the new U.S. ambassador in Afghanistan.
The moves, rumored in recent days, are seen as just the beginning of moves within the Obama inner circle.
Reports the AP:
The changes would probably take effect this summer. Gates has already said he will leave this year, and the White House wants to schedule Senate confirmation hearings in the coming months.
The changes are expected to be announced Thursday at the White House. A former U.S. official said all four candidates would stand together with Obama for the announcement.
Allen, now the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command in Florida, is due in Washington on Wednesday, and sources in Afghanistan said Petraeus was also headed to Washington.
4 thoughts on “Panetta to Pentagon, Petraeus to CIA”
Swapping these two apparatchiks, one a civilian to military and vice vs. is the equivalent of a “Fool’s Mate” in chess 1. f3 e5….2. g4 Qh4# relative to our minds and the perception that our governement is accomplishing anything of significance relative to our tax burden and national travails. They seemingly win and we always lose…no?
Carl Nemo **==
Reading between the lines, it looks like the CIA and DIA will now be one under the DoD. Cost savings move?
“Curiouser and curiouser!”
I am thrilled with the knowledge that Leon Panetta will be our Secretary of Defense. I’ve known him from the days when we were both Republicans….He represented Monterey CA and did some remarkable plans for Fort Ord which was closing down. Leon and his wife took the lead on this plan to use the facility as a University based in one of the most beautiful districts in California. He wandered into my book store in Cambria (south of the Hearst castle) and was pleased that I knew who he was and what he was planning. I introduced him to some customers and friends who used my store as a meeting place.
Many were surprised at his change of political party but I understood it clearly. I believe America is in good hands with our defenses under Leon Panetta’s capable leadership.
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