Top U.S. Commander In Mideast Quits

Admiral William Fallon Resigns; Fallon Reportedly Differed With White House On Iran Policy

(CBS/AP)  The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East resigned Tuesday amid speculation about a rift over U.S. policy in Iran.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that Adm. William J. Fallon had asked for permission to retire and that Gates agreed. Gates said the decision, effective March 31, was entirely Fallon's and that Gates believed it was "the right thing to do."

Fallon was the subject of an article published last week in Esquire magazine that portrayed him as opposed to President Bush's Iran policy. It described Fallon as a lone voice against taking military action to stop the Iranian nuclear program.

Separately, the New York Times reported that there was "no question" that Fallon's departure was prompted by policy differences with the White House, and with Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq.

The newspaper said senior officials in the Bush administration were unhappy with remarks Fallon has made about Iran and the pace of U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq.

Fallon was out of step with the White House almost from the day he took over the U.S. Central Command, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin. On his first trip to Iraq, he allowed a reporter for the New York Times to accompany him to a meeting at which he lectured Prime Ministrer Maliki on the need for political reform. A source close to Fallon says that earned him phone calls from Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Rice and National Security Adviser Hadley. Afterwards, Fallon said he had "two strikes against me" and lamented ever taking the job.

Martin reports there will be a lot of speculation that Fallon's departure clears the decks for war with Iran before the Bush leaves office, despite the fact that Secretary Gates twice called the notion "ridiculous."

It is not known how Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey, who will replace Fallon as the commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, feels about war with Iran, but it's a safe bet he's against it, Martin reports. Virtually every senior military officer is against it, and Dempsey, who has spent a lot of time in Iraq, knows first hand how that war has pushed the Army close to the breaking point. As Fallon's deputy, he also knows the U.S. still needs more troops in Afghanistan. No one in the American military is interested in a wider war, but from now on they might be more cautious about how they say it.

Fallon, who is traveling in Iraq, issued a statement through his U.S. headquarters in Florida.

"Recent press reports suggesting a disconnect between my views and the president's policy objectives have become a distraction at a critical time and hamper efforts in the Centcom region," Fallon said.

"And although I don't believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command area of responsibility, the simple perception that there is makes it difficult for me to effectively serve America's interests there," Fallon added.

Gates dismissed the notion that Fallon's departure signals the United States is planning to go to war with Iran. And he said "there is a misperception" that Fallon disagrees with the administration's approach to Iran.

"I don't think there were differences at all," Gates added.

Fallon has had a 41-year Navy career. He took the Central Command post on March 16, 2007, succeeding Army Gen. John Abizaid, who retired. Fallon previously served as commander of U.S. Pacific Command.

Bush issued a statement saying that Fallon "has served our nation with great distinction for forty years. He is an outstanding sailor - and he made history as the first naval officer to serve as commander of Central Command."

Gates said that until a permanent replacement is nominated and confirmed by the Senate, Fallon's place will be taken by his top deputy, Army Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey.

The secretary called Fallon a very able military strategist and said his advice will be missed at the Pentagon.

"I think this is a cumulative kind of thing," said Gates, speaking of the circumstances leading up to Fallon's decision. "It isn't the result of any one article or any one issue."

"As I say, the notion that this decision portends anything in terms of change in Iran policy is, to quote myself, 'ridiculous,' " he said.

[amyblue45]

Who''''s the next miliatary commander to be fired & forced into retirement by Bush ??? I had seen a blog about this at EquestrianCupid.com/photo/girl.

[singingrick]

No!!!!!

We must go to war with Iran so that we can bring on Armagadon!!!

Don''t you see?!!!

Jesus is coming. Look busy.

[j-whitman]

JEGibbons,,, I can''t tell you about McClellend,,, But I know what happened to McArthur,, he''s under marble in downtown Norfolk, Va. --- But then again, it might be the Holy Grail burried there instead.

[tool105]

when I was in the navy I remember something that we were tought in boot camp "to protect and to deafend the constition" so my question is instead of our top military leaders quiting why dont they and the joint cheifs of staff just remove bush from office and restore our govermet to the american people?

[jegibbons]

It never ceases to AMAZE me how many military geniuses there are who grew out of that marijuana smoking flower generation who in reality themselves REFUSED to serve and continue to have their sons refuse to serve their country in ANY capacity.

Too many of these MUTTON HEADS often speak with authority about ALL matters military??? You might think they actuallu knew what they were talking about if you didn''t know what FRAUDS they actually are.

FYI: US GENERALS & ADMIRALS have been resigning or being coerced into retirement since the nation began. Even great generals with strong impeccable credentials often have disagreements with the policies of their Commander In Chief. Ever hear about the fate of Generals: Mc Clelland, Mc Arthur?

[ajaxtheleast]

If they were going to "take out" seven countries
starting with Iraq and Iraq takes, say, eight
years, not, then in 6o years we get the
destroyer and "mission accomplished" with a
120-year-old, preserved-by-Ron Rico-rum,
former president under it''s banner
proclaiming victory.

In other words, things aren''t going
too well for "THE PLAN"

[j-whitman]

With more proof of the "Surge" not working today, a strike agianst Iran would place our troops in great peril.

[j-whitman]

Who''s the next miliatary commander to be fired & forced into retirement by Bush ???

Most military leaders against military strike on Iran

Gates has said publicly and privately that under current conditions he''s opposed to war with Iran. Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen is also against it. In fact, almost every senior military officer we''ve talked to is against launching military strikes against Iran, because as one senior official told us, "then what do you do?"

[jwind11]

floydzepp...you have an immature obsession with NASCAR...whats up with that?

[cdfoxtrot]

I guess if you disagree with the moron-in-chief and his henchmen, you''re out on your ear.

[gkc99]

White House Denies Friction With Fallon
--The Associated Press


Chimp-in-Chief Bushit, "5-deferments" Chickenshit, and little ho Dana Perino must think the American people are real stupid.

Well they are. After, they re-elected Bushit.

And the Repugs (and many Dems) in Congress seem to be too spineless to tackle the endless lies and deception of the U.S. Fascist Party.

Any public servent of integrity gets trashed by the clowns in the White House.

And the lickspittle lackeys get choice Medals of Freedom and appointments as Senior Fellows at the Heritage Foundation or Hoover Institute.

[bm6005]

I would much rather trust a man who has clinbed through the discipline and ranks of the military than a spoiled brat who has had everything in life handed to him. That is who you have as a president, a spoiled brat. Think about it.
Posted by ainttaken

Worth reposting and I sincerely agree!

[samsel3]

It''s all about BIG OIL. The administration wants regime change in Iran & Venezuela. Conoco-Phillips, Mobil Exxon & Chevron would not accept new conditions for their oil leases. They wanted significant control in new areas of the gulf of Venezuela, but the Venezuelan''''s are looking after it''s own interests and offered a diminished role in developing oil reserves or nothing. As a result all three companies were terminated. The owners of these companies are Richard Cheney''s friends and now look for the administrations strong arm tactics.

In 2006 & 2007 Iran & Venezuela vested oil deals and partnered to develop tracts in Venezuelas Orinoco Reserve. One tract Iran will help develop contains approximately 30 billion barrels of oil.
Venezuela''s total oil reserves are estimated at 265 billion barrels which could top the Saudi''s Reserves.

Venezuela, has struck oil and natural gas deals with Iran & Malaysia , as well as China and Russia . China & Russia. will aid and protect Venezueala if needed .

Moscow -- Armed forces will be used if necessary, including preventively and with the use of nuclear weapons, for protection of Russia and its allies, the Russian Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff Yuri Baluyevsky said on Saturday.

[samsel3]

Paul Wolfowitz,Don Rumsfeld, Scooter Libby, George Bush, Richard Cheney, Eliot Cohen. Zalmay Khalilzad, Steve Forbes, Donald Kagan, Pete Rodman, Henry S Rowen, Dan Quale, William J.Bennett, Jeb Bush, they are all members of the PNAC Project for a New American Century.

[jegibbons]

Its spelled "Prozac", SORRY but you had the advantage of reading it off you prescription bottle.

[samsel3]

On January 26, 1998 in a letter to the President the PNAC asked Clinton to invade Iraq and get rid of Saddam Hussein.
We can all talk about the past, but what about now and the future ? Presently the PNAC and the CNP Council for National Policy is planning your future. These two secretive organisations with crossover membership of several hundred of the richest men in the USA put Bush & Cheney in office to accomplish their global agenda.

[jegibbons]

omega39
The Dumb Democrats have worked themselves into a pickle this year because they don''t permit a winner take all the delegates formula of the GOP.

In poker game if a small straght is higher than another small straight. It wins SIMPLE! Anyone who is still concerned over how President Bush was elected eight years ago is a LOSER and is demonstrating that VICTIM''S MENTALITY which is so classic of the LEFT!

[samsel3]

More than a year and half before 911 the CIA Special Activities Division was conducting operations in Afghanistan, trying to topple the Taliban regime for the Caspian Sea Oil & Gas Pipelines...........We now call such activities terror.



February 12, 1998 John J. Maresca vp of UNOCAL oil appeared before a House sub committee. The purpose of the meeting was to gain support for exploitation of oil & natural gas resources, for the rights purchased by BIG OIL in the Caspian Sea area.

In his testimony he stated, "The key question is how the energy resources of Central Asia can be made available to nearby Asian markets ". The exploitation option stated : "One obvious route south would cross Iran, but this is foreclosed by American companies because of U.S. sanctions (with Iran ) . The only other possible route is across Afghanistan, which of course has it''s own unique challenges. " He continued saying, " the pipeline we have proposed across Afghanistan could not begin until a recognized government is in place that has the confidence of governments,lenders (world monitary fund & world bank ) ,and our company "......"

UNOCAL and other American companies are prepared to undertake the job ".

[samsel3]

On September 14,2002 Rep. James McDermott at a Capitol Hill Briefing said that politics and oil, not fear that Iraq will use WMD are driving factors behind the presidents call for regime change. McDermott said there was an organized effort to squelch such discussions. "The political operatives in the white house have been very careful to spin it away from oil. Anytime anybody sees a connection they spin it the other way".

In an interview published by the French, dedefensa.org journalist Amy Goodman''s interview with General Wesley Clark. Clark stated he viewed a defense department memo that described how the U.S. was going to take out seven countries in five years...."starting with Iraq,then Syria and Lebanon, then Libya,then Somalia and Sudan, and back to Iran."

[samsel3]

Nothing has changed on Iran. The administrations interest in Iran & nukes is a smoke screen for their real agenda. Their true interests are Cheney%u2019s energy policy.Condi Rice is a former board member of Chevron Oil and mouthpiece for the administrations energy policy. Part of that policy is the The Caspian Sea pipeline which will go through Turkmenistan, Afghanistan,Pakistan, to the gulf of Oman and on to India & Nepal.It will be cheaper to construct if they can go through Iran, but regime change is necessary first. The Caspian sea area holds one third of the world%u2019s oil and south asian oil markets are their target market. This pipeline was also the reason for the Afghanistan invasion. Cheney%u2019s energy policy is the root of all these middle east wars, a federal court judge sealed all documents associated with it for the administration, and the national media are not allowed to discuss or comment on it. More troops are needed in Afghanistan to protect the contractors building the pipeline. Iran stands in the way of total control of global oil now with sales of oil to China%u2019s Sinopec Oil,deal signed Dec.10,2007. Months ago China said there would be dire consequences if the US interfered with there direct oil contracts with Iran. Both parties in the Congress should be very concerned with China%u2019s growing war machine and need for oil. They are the real threat & the administration doesn%u201Dt care they are in control ! All that matters to them is BIG OIL