Gen. Petraeus Promoted to Lead Central Command

April 23, 2008 — -- President Bush will nominate Gen. David Petraeus to take over as the commander of Central Command, giving him overall responsibility for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Middle East.

The move was announced at the Pentagon by Defense Secretary Robert Gates who said, "I don't know anybody in the U.S. military better qualified to lead that effort."

If confirmed by the Senate, Petraeus would leave his post as the top commander in Iraq in the late summer or early fall.

To replace Petraeus in Iraq, the president will nominate Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, who returned from Iraq two months ago, where he served as Petraeus' deputy.

Before making the announcement, Gates privately informed key senators, including Carl Levin of Michigan, the Democratic chairman of the Armed Services Committee.

Both Petraeus and Odierno may face tough questions from Levin and other Senate Democrats who have been critical of the war effort. But both men are highly respected on Capitol Hill, even by those who disagree with the administration's Iraq policies.

Levin "hopes" to schedule "prompt" hearings on the nomination, according to his spokeswoman Tara Andringa.

The nominations suggest a determination by the president to maintain the course he set in Iraq in January 2007, when he announced the surge and put Petraeus in charge of the Iraq War.

"I think that the course that Gen. Petraeus has set has been a successful course," Gates told reporters. "So, frankly, I think staying that course is not a bad idea. I would say it's a good idea."

Petraeus would replace Adm. William Fallon, who was forced out as commander of Central Command in March, after publicly questioning the White House's approach to Iran.

The move represents a significant promotion for Petraeus and gives him responsibility for the most pressing military challenges facing the United States.

In addition to overseeing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Central Command commander is responsible for U.S. military strategy toward Iran.

In a written statement reacting to the nomination, Petraeus said, "I am honored to be nominated for this position and to have an opportunity to continue to serve with America's soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, coast guardsmen and civilians."

Regarding the president's choice to replace Petraeus, Gates said, "Gen. Odierno is known recently to the Iraqi leadership. He's known to the Iraqi generals. He is known to our own people. He has current experience, and so the likelihood of him being able to pick up for this baton passing to be smooth is better -- the odds of that are better with him than with anybody else I could identify."

Odierno had already been nominated to be vice chief of staff of the Army; that nomination will now be withdrawn in favor of the Iraq position.

Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli will be nominated for that job. Chiarelli, who now serves as the top military assistant to Gates, also has extensive experience in Iraq, most recently as the day-to-day commander of ground forces in 2006.