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Defense Dept. Changes Made With Eye to Ending Wars
Defense Dept. Changes Made With Eye to Ending Wars - OzarksFirst.com
Friday, April 29 2011
(Washington, DC) -- President Obama announces a national security reshuffle. And it could have an impact on American troops and military operations in the Middle East.
The changes to the National Security team were announced from the White House.
"Leon Panetta to the Defense Department, David Petraeus at the CIA, Ambassador Crocker and Lt. General John Allen in Afghanistan. These are the leaders I've chosen to lead us through difficult days ahead."
General David Petraeus flew in from Afghanistan, but he was not carrying any formal recommendations about a troop draw-down that the administration wants to begin in July, less then a year after the President's 30,000 surge troops arrived.
Defense officials said those discussions were expected to begin during this trip.
The president has two active wars on his hands - and an election whose campaign begins in earnest at the end of this year.
In Afghanistan there are more than 100,000 us troops, including the 30,000 surge troops.
" I think this is a dream team for getting out of the war," says Gen. Robert Scaled (Ret.), military analyst for FOX News. "Every one he's chosen is a part of his team, they agree with the strategy, they are focused on the real challenge of drawing down the military after a war which is principally focused on lowering the defense budget."
Then there's the war in Iraq which the president has promised to end.
Now the Pentagon is pressing the Iraqis to request some of the 47,000 us forces currently in Iraq to stay.
"It needs to start soon, very soon should there be any chance of avoiding irrevocable logistics and operational decisions we must make in the coming weeks," notes Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
General Lloyd Austin, the top us general in Iraq, is pushing for at least 22,000 troops to stay, according to Pentagon sources.
The White House wants less than 10,000.
Secretary Gates reportedly feels it is increasingly important to leave a strong U.S. presence in Iraq to counter Iran's rising influence as a result of the "Arab spring."
Notably absent in the White House announcements - who will be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
Sources say the nomination of General James Cartwright is being delayed because some senators have concerns his personal life and an impending divorce.
But we're told he remains the president's first choice.
(Jennifer Griffin, FOX News)
Defense Dept. Changes Made With Eye to Ending Wars - OzarksFirst.com
Friday, April 29 2011
(Washington, DC) -- President Obama announces a national security reshuffle. And it could have an impact on American troops and military operations in the Middle East.
The changes to the National Security team were announced from the White House.
"Leon Panetta to the Defense Department, David Petraeus at the CIA, Ambassador Crocker and Lt. General John Allen in Afghanistan. These are the leaders I've chosen to lead us through difficult days ahead."
General David Petraeus flew in from Afghanistan, but he was not carrying any formal recommendations about a troop draw-down that the administration wants to begin in July, less then a year after the President's 30,000 surge troops arrived.
Defense officials said those discussions were expected to begin during this trip.
The president has two active wars on his hands - and an election whose campaign begins in earnest at the end of this year.
In Afghanistan there are more than 100,000 us troops, including the 30,000 surge troops.
" I think this is a dream team for getting out of the war," says Gen. Robert Scaled (Ret.), military analyst for FOX News. "Every one he's chosen is a part of his team, they agree with the strategy, they are focused on the real challenge of drawing down the military after a war which is principally focused on lowering the defense budget."
Then there's the war in Iraq which the president has promised to end.
Now the Pentagon is pressing the Iraqis to request some of the 47,000 us forces currently in Iraq to stay.
"It needs to start soon, very soon should there be any chance of avoiding irrevocable logistics and operational decisions we must make in the coming weeks," notes Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
General Lloyd Austin, the top us general in Iraq, is pushing for at least 22,000 troops to stay, according to Pentagon sources.
The White House wants less than 10,000.
Secretary Gates reportedly feels it is increasingly important to leave a strong U.S. presence in Iraq to counter Iran's rising influence as a result of the "Arab spring."
Notably absent in the White House announcements - who will be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
Sources say the nomination of General James Cartwright is being delayed because some senators have concerns his personal life and an impending divorce.
But we're told he remains the president's first choice.
(Jennifer Griffin, FOX News)