Petraeus, CENTCOM, and Iran
At The Belmont Club, Richard Fernandez takes note of yesterday’s announcement that General David Petraeus is being nominated to head CENTCOM, while Ray Odierno, his deputy in Iraq, will be moved up to fill Petraeus’ slot as head of US forces in Iraq.
Gen Petraeus has been nominated to head CENTCOM, according to the Washington Post. And Gen Odierno, his deputy, will take over command of ground forces in Iraq. I think this news will be received with great alarm and trepidation in Teheran.
As I’ve written in the past, I don’t think an invasion or bombing campaign of Iran is in the works. What I think will happen (and it’s just my own opinion) is that Petraeus plans (to) take a hammer to all the places where Iran has poked its finger; turn its own allies against it with a combination of targeted force and politics.
More important than his battlefield successes in Iraq may be the implied victory in Pentagon politics that his nomination to CENTCOM chief suggests. It’s important to remember that before the Surge, Petraeus’ ideas were on the margin. Now they are in the mainstream.
One Joker in the pack remains. Who’s going to be the next President? The military leadership is important, but the President is Commander in Chief.
The need to deal sensibly, and effectively, with Iran, and the radical Mullahs’ increasing efforts toward nuclear armament is one more urgent reason to back John McCain’s White House bid. Taking the threat of military action, especially the asymmetrical sort championed by Petraeus, off the table, as endorsed by the Democrats, would be a huge and ultimately painful mistake for the US.
As usual, the comments are some of the most provocative and intelligent to be found anywhere. Read the whole thing.
