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.

[boatdocster]

Fallon did not want to start the unnecessary war with Iran - he is not a Bush "Buttt Buddy Yes Man", so he is gone.

Expect a much more pliable replacement!

[pupeta-2009]

excellent decision on part of this general. Don''t worry, this was the last repuke government we will have in a long time.

[infidel_us]

I guess bedwetting liberals really DO reach the upper levels of military command. No wonder it''s so hard to have success in the middle east.

[timdgrim]

Is not Fallon the one that called General Petraus a "kiss a**" that would do anything to further his career. Admiral, telling the truth will get you out of the Bush Administration..don''t you know that? Good for you.

[bobnjersey]

[And he said "there is a misperception" that Fallon disagrees with the administration''s approach to Iran. ]

there''s absolutely a misperception ... he thinks gwb isn''t qualified to clear brush ... much less be telling him what to do.

[bobnjersey]

[I guess bedwetting liberals really DO reach the upper levels of military command. No wonder it''''s so hard to have success in the middle east.]
[Posted by Infidel_Us at 04:00 PM : Mar 11, 2008]

failure to succeed in the middle east (whatever that is) has nothing to do w/ liberals, bone head.

[david1737]

I guess bedwetting liberals really DO reach the upper levels of military command. No wonder it''''s so hard to have success in the middle east.

Posted by Infidel_Us



Infidel why do YOU hate the troops?

[bobnjersey]

[Fallon is also the guy who said that General Betray-us was a sneaky little AZZ kisser.]
[Posted by koko98 at 04:04 PM : Mar 11, 2008]

so which generals are the good ones (according to you) ... and what ones are the ''betrayers''? just so we know.

or is it really anyone who doesn''t agree w/ you?

[lorinkundert]

What can we expect, when the Fuhrer speaks and we disagree people have a tendency to disappear or resign.

[usbrit-2009]

I guess bedwetting liberals really DO reach the upper levels of military command. No wonder it''''''''s so hard to have success in the middle east.

Posted by Infidel_Us

Father please forgive him as he doesn''t have a single ***(ing brain-cell in his head.

[zootallures2]

They don''t have enough of your money to go to war with Iran. They are devalueing and printing money just to get enough of your money to pay your own IRS return. Of course then you can go buy Chinese made stuff that you all ready paid for with that debt to yourself. There would have to be a depression so they can steal your bank accounts before war with Iran. Remeber WW2?

[infidel_us]

Infidel why do YOU hate the troops?
Posted by david1737 at 04:08 PM : Mar 11, 2008

I hate arseclown liberals (whether they be seamen or admirals.) Liberals are all equally dangerous and unworthy in my eyes.

[zootallures2]

InToHell_US... enjoy scumbag. Go buy a fire suit...LMAO at U

[infidel_us]

Father please forgive him as he doesn''''t have a single ***(ing brain-cell in his head.
Posted by USBrit at 04:11 PM : Mar 11, 2008

We had enough brain cells to kick your lymie arses right out of this country and back to England. If I want to hear from the socialist left, I''ll give you a call.

[byeneocons]

Good idea Admiral Fallon. Take the hint from Colin Powell, and get as far away from Bush and his henchmen as you can.

[zootallures2]

Protocals of The Elders of Zion are NOT fake.

[parrot2ok]

Infidel why do YOU hate the troops?
Posted by david1737 at 04:08 PM : Mar 11, 2008

I hate arseclown liberals (whether they be seamen or admirals.) Liberals are all equally dangerous and unworthy in my eyes.
Posted by Infidel_Us at 04:13 PM : Mar 11, 2008

Infidel in GA - i seriously believe that''s what actually binds you Repugs - HATE - it''s really sad when it''s all you got. Wonder how many more would retire from service. Cheers!

[zootallures2]

WARNING! WARNING! MORON ALERT! CHECK ENGINE!

They don''''t have enough of your money to go to war with Iran. They are devalueing and printing money just to get enough of your money to pay your own IRS return. Of course then you can go buy Chinese made stuff that you all ready paid for with that debt to yourself. There would have to be a depression so they can steal your bank accounts before war with Iran. Remeber WW2?

[david1737]

Infidel_Us

Ha!

[underdogus]

Admiral Fallon..youre a coward!!

[zootallures2]

Infidel_Us is such a sinner and creep, he no longer knows right from wrong because he is ignored and abandon by God. Buy a fire suite. Life support system is the same as sleep. Either way you''ll wake up like there was no time to a horrible sound and flashing sun pulling you into the fire, never ever ever to plague God''s creation again. Enjoy 666, Infidel, atheist scumbag .... send us a post card...ha ha ha ha!

[chadb19]

Yet another victim of disagreeing with Bush/ Cheney. Where is democracy in this country. All they want are "YES" men or women for that matter (Rice). God..2009 can come fast enough to get these two dictators out of office!!!!!!!!!

[flreason]

With less than a year left in Bush''s tenure, this doesn''t bode well for our country. The reassurances that this in no way portends a U.S. military action against Iran rings hollow from an administration that has repeatedly lied to the American public. Are there no patriots in this administration who will stand up against this lunatic cabal? They might as well just go ahead and move the U.S. mints and treasury to Dubai, since it seems to be their intent to sell the U.S. democracy down the river.

[parrot2ok]

Father please forgive him as he doesn''''''''t have a single ***(ing brain-cell in his head.
Posted by USBrit at 04:11 PM : Mar 11, 2008

We had enough brain cells to kick your lymie arses right out of this country and back to England. If I want to hear from the socialist left, I''''ll give you a call.
Posted by Infidel_Us at 04:15 PM : Mar 11, 2008

You must have skipped your meds today. Cheers!

[rushlimpdrug]

Admiral Fallon..youre a coward!!
Posted by underdogus at 04:24 PM

Boy, that''s a mighty brave thing to say from where you sit in front of your computer.

[gkc99]

Another demonstration of how much the Darth Bushitters "support" our military--any general or admiral who says the tiny Texass tyrant has no clothes get retired.

General Petreus better just keep his mouth shut, or he''ll be Bushit''s General Pet (ret.).

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

And Gates shows himself to be a lying coward, just like Darth Chickenshit and George Bushit.

Send in the clowns!

[zootallures2]

Admiral Fallon has enough to repay to stay out of hell as it is.

[zootallures2]

Fallin and Gates of Hell

[inventagod]

Last rat off the stinking ship!!!

OK, Let''s run the HMS Bu$$hy aground in Iran.

[johngress]

I guess bedwetting liberals really DO reach the upper levels of military command. No wonder it''''s so hard to have success in the middle east.

Posted by Infidel_Us at 04:00 PM : Mar 11, 2008


I don%u2019t think you can call someone with 41 years of service that has reached the pinnacle of military service a %u201Cbedwetting liberal%u201D. After all, he was working for a president and VP that pissed their pants when it was their time to serve. Bush was falling off of bar stools while Cheney was trying to figure out how to get his next deferment. Funny how the cowards are the ones that have to have everyone else do their fighting for them.
Maybe you should take a minute to pull your head out of you%u2019re a** and look at the mess this administration has made of everything they%u2019ve put their hands on. BTW, I am an independent with some views liberal and some conservative. Just like most of mainstream America.

[ioweign]

I hate arseclown liberals (whether they be seamen or admirals.) Liberals are all equally dangerous and unworthy in my eyes.

Posted by Infidel_Us at 04:13 PM : Mar 11, 2008

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.
John Stuart Mill

[generey]

Just my opinion but I would think it would be a good idea to listen, George, to "constructive criticism" from time to time. Might not be what you want to hear but that is what front line people and adviser''s are for.

[zootallures2]

WARNING! WARNING! MORON ALERT! CHECK ENGINE!

They don''t have enough of your money to go to war with Iran. They are devalueing and printing money just to get enough of your money to pay your own IRS return. Of course then you can go buy Chinese made stuff that you all ready paid for with that debt to yourself. There would have to be a depression so they can steal your bank accounts before war with Iran. Remember WW2?

Don''t follow the beast and be a 666 baboon! Stop your jewish voodoo cult and saxon mofias. Skull and bones, eh? And here were have the Bush-a-sourus. A crafty little creature that brought the end of the humans....

[david1737]

This Admiral was flying combat missions while Bush was snorting coke and missing his physical(s) in the Air guard.

[boatdocster]

I looked at Fallon''s bio and he is no slouch.

4 stars don''t usually retire after 1 year on the job unless an incompetent president sends them home...

[grazinggoat]

Admiral Fallon..youre a coward!!
Posted by underdogus at 04:24 PM : Mar 11, 2008

-You are an idiot and a warmonger. America needs no such things here. Go back to Israel and stay within a Hamas'' rocket reach!

[forthepeopl1]

WASHINGTON %u2014 A forthcoming Pentagon study has found no operational link between Saddam Hussein and Usama bin Laden''s Al Qaeda terrorist network.

McClatchy Newspapers reports that the study, expected to be released later this week, is based on an extensive review of more than 600,000 Iraqi documents that were seized after the U.S.-led war in Iraq in 2003.

While there was no link to Al Qaeda, the investigation revealed that Saddam''s regime gave some support to other terror groups in the Middle East, U.S. officials told McClatchy on condition of anonymity. But he targeted those he considered his own enemies, including Shiite Muslims, Kurds, exiles and others, the news service reported.

Sponsored by the Pentagon, the report found no "direct operational link" between Saddam''s government in Iraq and bin Laden''s Al Qaeda terror ring before the U.S. invasion, an official told McClatchy.

The Bush administration put forth the argument that there was a connection between Saddam and bin Laden when it made the case to go to war with Iraq after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

The Pentagon study won''t be released before Wednesday

[david1737]

This Admiral was flying combat missions while Cheney took no less than FIVE DEFERMENTS to avoid service to his country.

[grazinggoat]

Fallon is a great guy. For once he and Collin Powell stood up against the Monstruous Walking-Liar in White House and his puppet handlers, but they are powerless (strange affirmation but these gunners have no power-WOW!)

Fallon sees the burnt land policies in Iraq and its consequent planning in Iran is not working, and is regarded as dangerous. Still the Walking-Liar is insisting on going ahead wiht his warmonger plans against Iran. Dictatorship, it is called.

[zootallures2]

9/11 was an iside job.
Protocal of the elders of zion is NOT fake.
The international community is an anglo saxon/ashkenazi saxon run mofia.
Al-Qeada is the Ottoman Turk Mofia struggling for power with the CIA.
Rudy Guiliani was the Italian mofia trying to hold on to their last turf joining the big mofia. But they pushed them and their roman catholic church out.

You are the evil doers! And Hell is real.

[mortok99]

What about the meteorite?

[j-whitman]

Time to run these political hacks destroying our country right out of the White House --- Admiral Fallon is a real Hero & the Best man for the job in the War on Terror

[KOOLSTUF]

You are either a "YES" man, or don''t work for Bush !!!

He MUST NOT be misled by facts !!!

[zootallures2]

Bush reminds me of the Saturday Nite Live skit when Ray Charles was driving a car. But he didn''t have 300 million passengers. 299 million of which see less than Bush so... whadaya got?

[mortok99]

Bring the troops home! And impeach this government. Until we find out exactly whats going on.

What do ya say, Nancy?

[frankbowers]

The "underdogus" need to get him a uniform and run over ther to take gw bushs'' place as a deserter due to drugs and alcohol and the Airforce NG fljight physical which would have created a dishonorable discharge in ''72 as that is what they did. As for dic cheney he got deferments (5) to keep out of the was and served as the sect. of defense at the time gw was a deserter check the records. He had to become vp so as to get a fresh paper to sign for an honorable discharge for the bubbling dope addict. That is why he is VP no other reason and Yes I LIVED IN HOUSTON TX WHEN HE DESERTED AND WATCHED THE DAILY NEWS AS THEY REPORTED SEEKING THE LITTLE LYING BAS*******. I have the greatest respect for the admiral as he has many combat ribbons to prove he is not a coward as some suggested.
david1737 fyou had it nearly correct but you forgot to mention that gw b deserted rather than to serve.
The best of good byes Frank Bowers of Austin, TX

[singingrick]

I don''t blame him. Bush is a colossal moron as are all of his supporters.

lol!

[mortok99]

I can''t hear ya..

[grazinggoat]

CBS News: ''It described Fallon as a lone voice against taking military action to stop the Iranian nuclear program.''

-The undemocratic Walking-Liar is the lone voice for that aggression on Iran policy. Ask the Americans how they percieve the American Policies in Iran and you''ll understand why BO is so popular! and coming in by a landlide. Go BO Go! Prosecute this Walking-Liar for wrongdoing and war crimes.

[mortok99]

Did you say something Miss Mink? Speak louder please.. Or did you guys pay that admiral fer yer election?