Obama introduces new national security team

President Obama introduced his new national security team Thursday afternoon, naming CIA Director Leon Panetta to replace Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Gen. David Petraeus to replace Panetta at the CIA.

He also formally announced that Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Allen will replace Petraeus as the commander of U.S. and coalition military operations in Afghanistan, and that diplomat Ryan Crocker will become U.S. ambassador in Afghanistan.

The reorganization comes as the United States draws down troops in its two wars and faces an unclear commitment in Libya. Members of the new team, who must be confirmed by the Senate, are widely expected to largely continue the course laid out by their predecessors. They are expected to be confirmed with relative ease. Gates is scheduled to step down on June 30.

"I have worked closely with most of the individuals on this stage and all of them have my complete confidence," Mr. Obama said at the White House Thursday afternoon, surrounded by Gates and members of his new team. "They are leaders of enormous integrity and talent who have devoted their lives to keeping our nation strong and secure."

"I am confident Bob Gates will be remembered as one of the finest defense secretaries in American history, and I will always be grateful for his service," he said.

Gates, who has made no secret of his desire to return to private life, later thanked Mr. Obama for asking him to stay on when he became president - quipping, "and on, and on, and on."

Speaking of Panetta, a longtime Washington insider, Mr. Obama said, "he patriotism and extraordinary management skills that have defined Leon's four decades of service is exactly what we need in our next Secretary of Defense."

Panetta is set to become Defense Secretary at a time when Democrats and some Republicans are pushing for spending cuts to the defense sector in order to help reduce the nation's deficit. Mr. Obama has said he wants to cut $800 billion in national security spending over twelve years, and the choice of Panetta, a former director of the Office of Management and Budget, was seen as a sign that he is serious in doing so.

"Today we are a nation at war, and job one will be to ensure that we remain the strongest military power in the world to protect that security that is so important to this country," said Panetta. "Yet, this is also a time for hard choices. It's about ensuring that we are able to prevail in the conflicts in which we are now engaged. But it's also about being able to be strong and disciplined in applying our nation's limited resources to defending America."

Mr. Obama noted that Petraeus had agreed to "retire from the Army that he loves" after 40 years to become CIA director effective early September.

"Just as General Petraeus changed the way that our military fights and wins wars in the 21st century, I have no doubt that Director Petraeus will guide our intelligence professionals as they continue to adapt and innovate in an ever-changing world," he said.

The president called Allen, currently the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, the right commander for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and said Crocker, a five-time ambassador, is well acquainted with the challenges he will face. He thanked also Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon for their service.

"This is going to be an outstanding team," said the president. "I am grateful for the service that they've already provided, and I'm confident that they will continue to do everything that they can to ensure America's safety and security, not just today, but tomorrow."

"I will look to them and my entire national security team for their counsel, continuity and unity of effort that this moment in history demands," Mr. Obama added.

The president will likely soon also need to name a replacement for Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen, who plans to retire in the fall. Mr. Obama has set a goal of turning security responsibility in Afghanistan over to the Afghans by the end of 2014.

Before introducing the new national security team, Mr. Obama addressed the devastating storm that has hit southern states, saying that the federal government will "do everything we can" to help.He is scheduled to travel to Alabama on Friday.