Fallon Resigns As Mideast Military Chief

"The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East resigned Tuesday amid speculation about a rift over U.S. policy in Iran," the AP reports.

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.

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

"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 described as "ridiculous" any 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.

As ThinkProgress notes, Fallon opposed the "surge" in Iraq and has consistently battled the Bush administration to avoid a confrontation with Iran, calling officials' saber-rattling "not helpful." Privately, he vowed that an attack on Iran "will not happen on my watch."

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A blockbuster Esquire article published last week predicted that Fallon would be removed to make way for a general who was more "pliable" to war with Iran:

If, in the dying light of the Bush administration, we go to war with Iran, it'll all come down to one man. If we do not go to war with Iran, it'll come down to the same man. He is that rarest of creatures in the Bush universe: the good cop on Iran, and a man of strategic brilliance. His name is William Fallon, although all of his friends call him "Fox," which was his fighter-pilot call sign decades ago. [...]

Just as Fallon took over Centcom last spring, the White House was putting itself on a war footing with Iran. Almost instantly, Fallon began to calmly push back against what he saw as an ill-advised action. Over the course of 2007, Fallon's statements in the press grew increasingly dismissive of the possibility of war, creating serious friction with the White House.

Last December, when the National Intelligence Estimate downgraded the immediate nuclear threat from Iran, it seemed as if Fallon's caution was justified. But still, well-placed observers now say that it will come as no surprise if Fallon is relieved of his command before his time is up next spring, maybe as early as this summer, in favor of a commander the White House considers to be more pliable. If that were to happen, it may well mean that the president and vice-president intend to take military action against Iran before the end of this year and don't want a commander standing in their way.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) quickly released a statement: "I am concerned that the resignation of Admiral William J. Fallon, commander of all U.S. forces in the Middle East and a military leader with more than three decades of command experience, is yet another example that independence and the frank, open airing of experts' views are not welcomed in this Administration."

More from AP:

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.

President 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.

Comments

[loki]

So how will they spin it after we try to invade Iran? By saying his resigning really wasnt connected will only work if we dont invade Iran. But odds are we will.

[nualak]

Earth to Robert Gates. Does he really think that people are going to believe that Admiral Fallon actually "resigned" after disagreeing with the warmongers in Washington. Don't those people up there in the White House have an ounce of intelligence, or is the only thing they know how to do is wage war, or occupation. Anyone can do that, but who can actually start a peace movement?

[darthmaul]

I think the bottom line is that they don't care. Hubris is the operative word when describing this administration, even after the disaster that is the Iraq war. In fact, the so called surge, has American casualties down (Iraqi casualties up, but we don't care about that), has emboldened Bush and he now thinks that he was right after all. Bush says history will vindicate me! His former stooge Roberto Gonzales compares Bush to Lincoln.

Anybody in the military that isn't a yes man, and doesn't agree with the administration is out.The damage that the Iraq war has done to the Army and Marine Corps will be felt for decades. After 5 years of war, many junior officers aren't bothering to reenlist, wisely realizing that when you roll the dice enough times, your going to eventually loose. The result is that the pipe is being filled and the Senior leadership in the Military in years to come just won't be there.

[repugssuck]

When is enough going to be enough, its time to send the policy makers kids over - how many generals & cabinet members must "retire" when they disagree with these chickenhawks in the Whitehouse - this is no longer a Democracy, this is a dictatorship run by the number two man in charge - time to take it to the streets!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ptarantino]

Admiral Fallon is the voice of reason in our military. I think it's b.s. that Esquire published an article that caused him harm.

[ErnestineBass]

On the contrary, ptarantino, Admiral Fallon could have refused to do the interview.

IMHO, it was his way of WARNING US that war with Iran looms on the horizon.

[lornejl]

dumbya still has time to attack Iran, big dick is itchy as hell.

[TimN]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-soltz/admiral-fallon-a-resign_b_91003.html

"The only reason -- ONLY reason -- that Fallon wasn't put out there was because he didn't believe Iraq was making America safer, and knew that Iraq was a drain on the war in Afghanista­n."~ Jon Soltz March 11, 2008


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-soltz/all-roads-to-iran_b_38190.html

"With Admiral Fallon being an aviator, it is an operation he is well suited to plan, prepare, and execute. His nomination is nothing less than a signal to the American public that the Bush Administration is preparing to launch strikes at Iran." ~ Jon Soltz January 9, 2007

[realpolitic]

TimN, back from the undead with more Bush propaganda, I see. You seem to never get tired of shilling it, except now you are doing so in smaller doses and by just quoting others. I guess it is safer that way. Your hero, Bush, is a war criminal. Another study just said Saddam had no ties to al Qaeda after Bush installed a whole section in the Pentagon, the Office of Special Plans, that insisted he did. Will you ever fall from the Bush bandwagon? I admire your dedication to the cause and feel sorry for your lack of judgement.

[realpolitic]

Yes, in the first quotation you cite Soltz was correct. The administration did not offer Fallon to testify before Congress because he was not sufficiently hawkish on Iran and he thought the war in Iraq was a drain on resources that could have been better used in Afghanistan. Congress should have asked Fallon to testify anyway, but were too timid, as usual. The administration was then able to sell the surge and sell a harder line against Iran, as Petraeus was the sole authority to testify, although it was his own policy he was testifying about.

Soltz may have initially concluded the administration ws getting geared up to launch strikes at Iran by appointing Fallon. Fortunately, instead of cheerleading an attack on Iran, Fallon opposed it on its merits. Thus, Soltz was incorrect on Fallon's position, but correct on the administration intention's regarding Iran. That reason is why Fallon was politely shown the door, as was General Taguba, as was General Shinseki, as was economist Larry lindsey who said the war may cost $200 billion., a significant understatement.

[realpolitic]

Admiral Fallon was one who kept arguing that we were jeopardizing the overall combat readiness of our force by repeated tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was what this administration most fears- an independent thinker, one not easily cowed by presure from above. He has experienced enough combat so that standing up to Bush was like a stroll through the park for him. Unfortunately, this administration harbors no independent minds. Dissent is disloyalty to the Bushies. They insist on a chorus of sycpohancy and to date have received it. This reason is why our nation is in so much trouble and the Bush policy team has made one blunder after the next. Good soldiers have fallen by the wayside in the ideological struggle that plays out in the White House from General Shinseki who advised many more soldiers be used to invade Iraq, to General Taguba who was retired after writing about the cases of torture at Abu Ghraib prison, to now Admiral Fallon. Well, history will be unkind to Bush and his chorus of sycophants, just as it will recognize as heroes Shinseki, Taguba and Fallon.

[Counterglow]

There comes a point where to truly serve one's country, one must refuse to put one's knowledge and abilities at the disposal of a warmongering fool. I honour Admiral Fallon for his sacrifice.

[joedirtfromaz]

War with Iran? We don't have enough bodies unless we start drafting.

Don't worry.

[MrPOed]

This is all part of the chimps plan to get us in another war, It got him re-elected once maybe he thinks he can pull an FDR and can take a third term in office.

He has repeatedly shown a complete discregard for the constitution - get ready for WW3.

Why Congress has failed to impeach the lot of them is beyond me.

[dansama]

Its dollars for oil vs Euro's for oil.. first oil products bourse Iran just opened the first oil products bourse after being delayed by undersea cables were cut in the beginning of February.

Its already a war just not above ground...y­et

[lungfish]

It great that some folks put principles first. Wish it was a trend and a practice rather than a rarity.

[musselmanm]

The first mention of any sort of military excursion against Iran other than a retaliatory strike should result in the forcible removal of the entire Bush administration to be denied any right to a fair or speedy trial they must be given the same rights as given all of our prisoners in Guantanamo.

[Marichu]

Under our system of government, Congress was given the power to declare war (article 1 section 8) while the president was given the power to wage war. Therefore, Bush cannot legally begin a war with Iran in the absence of a declaration of war from Congress.

Now the fact that Bush has violated the declaration-of-war requirement in regards to Iraq, stems from the ineptitude and complacency by Congress in allowing Bush a totalitarian-like power to wage war. The Iraq War Resolution that granted Bush power to wage war involved a grant that the Constitution does not authorize Congress to make. These so called “ Congressional Resolutions” are not the formal declaration of war outlined in the Constitution.
Congress must fulfill its obligation to the Constitution and the citizens of this country; they must “check” this president.

[Bushgirlsgonewild]

.

A chronicle of how Chimpy views Fallon:

for years, a hero,

today, a quitter,

tomorrow, just another "disgruntled former employee".

three months from now, "a cut and run liberal waving a white flag to Al Quesadilla­."

.

[Leefeller]

The revolving door of commanders is becoming quite alarming. It seems we have a President who believes being the Commander In Chief means they know how to run the Military. Vietnam evader calling the shots of a bogus war, don't you love it.

[Perdurabo]

Gee... do we have permission to post comments now?