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

[falgiano]

for godsakes how many high ranking experienced generals have we LOST (via "retirement") b/c they wouldn't tow the Bush war line?? How can it make us safer to lose high ranking intelligent career military officers while simultaneously lowering the recruiting standards?? Jesus Christ this war is so tiring and sad.

[JulieSA]

Well, for one thing, he's not a general. Does anyone at HuffPo know the difference?

[realpolitic]

The Bush administration is so tiring and sad. Thank God for term limits!

[lornejl]

If ther was a God....oh, never mind.

[Stirner]

The United States is like an alcoholic when it comes to having another drink of war. Well, the way to treat an alcoholic is to encourage them to drink as much as they want. Eventually they will "bottom out". They will then be receptive to treatment (if they survive the de-tox). A good bloody war with Iran (for whatever reason -- alcholics need no reason to have a drink) might lead to a bottoming out -- if not, a bottom will eventually be reached. We have a war-drunken President, and a war-thirsting McCain all waiting (along with his woozy pal, Lieberman) to have a drink of Iran. As to Obama and Hillary -- well, they are now squabbling about who will be the best "'Commander in Chief" (the better to wage war?). The only sober candidate still in the race who is Ron Paul. Ah, but you have been advised not to vote for him -- after all "It will be a wasted vote". Well then, just vote for another drink of war, and await the hangover.

[TLV]

I'd venture a guess that the parents of each of the dead soldiers thinks we've drunk quite enough.

[Deidroni]

The majority of the parents who've lost sons and daughters in this war think they died to "preserve our way of life" and that Iraq was responsible for 9-11. They're delusional by necessity. How hard it would be for them to realize their son/daughters died for oil fields.

[realpolitic]

Another trillion dollar war just because someone is thirsty for a drink - no, thank you. Enough bloodshed!

[lallen]

Anyone in the senior millitary brass who doesn't tow the Bush/Cheney line is forced out. He's not the first, and won't be the last. Only 315 days till Dubya and the Dark Overlord are out of office.

[amazedandoutraged]

A lot can happen in 315 days. If they declare martial law, they may not leave and congress will be rendered mute. They have been preparing for this with all those executive orders. I'm concerned.

[Idiocracy]

If this DOESNT happen, i will be shocked.

[Oldtimer]

The eyes of the country turn to Democrats in Congress.
Bush and Cheney, fascist extremists both, want to test their unitary theories
with a penultimate move on Iran without a declaration of war.
I fully expect that Bush and Cheney will drum something (anything) up to
provoke war with Iran. Of course, Karl Rove is still operating in the background
advising such a move can scare the crap out of the electorate and perhaps swing
voters to McCain. I think this works ONLY if the media goes along. The jury is out
on whether the media conglomerates are on board.
The other major factor in the Iran war equation is the effect it would have on the
price of oil. Bush and Cheney would love nothing more than to leave office
with the price of oil at $150 a barrel. It not only helps their oil relatives it leaves
the Democrat president elect with a huge ball and chain on their neck.
If FDR were alive today he would do two things.
1. He would declare a national emergency and establish an apollo program to
finish America's need for oil.
2. He would make wholesale personnel changes in executive departments
with instructions to the new Attornet General to investigate and convict the
Bush Crime Family.
Where are ther Democrats and when the heel are they going to make this
election about Bush and Cheney? That is the election. Make it a referendum
on Bush, Cheney and Rove and Democrats win huge - super majorities in Congress.

[leftLibertarian]

This is what must be done:

1- The Democratic Party grows a spine.

2 - Then the Democratic Party impeaches the criminals Bush and Cheney.

[nanotubz]

That will still leave them in office unless you know of 17 GOP senators who will vote to convict. Then the American public as a whole will believe. Otherwise it's playing gotcha, ala Clinton's impeachment. And could as McCain the White House and GOP Congress. And don't forget the impeachment trial will be presided over by Chief Justice Roberts.

[Nicolaus]

And how do you propose to achieve these objectives?

[nurseattorney]

At the first breath of impeachment, Cheney will declare martial law and shut down Congress, and cancel the elections. I think Cheney told Pelosi that a long time ago. Thats why she took impeachment "off the table."

[nellie]

This is very bad news. It should be on the front page.

[realpolitic]

It will be.

[CranialRectalLoopback]

No it won't we've got SEX for the next few days.

[EvSmith]

The timing of this is likely directly related to one Mahmoud Amadinejad and his recent visit to Iraq to meet with Nouri Al Maliki. If the Bush admin. does not attack Iran in the coming months than they will certainly almost attack Iran and they will probably take a shot at the Iranian President and his Revolutionary Guard. Amadinejad is the next Saddam in the Neo Con's eyes, He HAS to go.

Our Government has toppled many regimes and they will not stop doing it now with his regime. Our military is not going to relinquish dominance over Iraq's oil to regional powers such as Iran and Syria.

We will strike Iran very hard if they try to establish any major influence over the Iraqi leadership. This is about Iraq and the future of it's oil, not the U.N. sanctions over Iran's nuclear program.

[realpolitic]

War with Iran was probably all along a step to the permanent Republican majority envisioned by Rove. They like to launch it before an election. Then people rally around the flag and vote Republican.

[RoseMerry]

Obama-Fallon 2008

We have our new Vice-President

I pray they did not have to cleanup a scourced earth and an occupied Iran.

[realpolitic]

Good idea!

[jsarets]

Obama/Fallon?

[drkazmd65]

Works for me.

[Snikta]

This is the first Admiral to resign in this war due to not going along with the Commander in Chief. There were several generals who resigned because they tried to tell this president how to enter Iraq and win but Bush felt that Cheney and Rumsfeld knew more than the career military men knew. Bush will never change. He will continue to shoot from the hip and maybe ask questions later. He probably would like very much to invade Iran this spring and he feels sure that these republicans who have been mislead into thinking that the Republicans are the only people who can run a war right will agree with him and it will be a sure way to get McCain elected to continue Bush's plans to bankrupt this Country. If this war continues much longer, we will be bankrupt. McCain doesn't seem to see anything wrong with that just as long as pig headed people can say we won. What will we win. Iraq has become and will stay more of an lslamic Country than it was under a dictator. Under Hussain, all religions were allowed to be practice and all people were allow to be educated. With the government they have now, the Christians have been slaughtered and the women are afraid to seek an education or even get out of their homes. The surge or any other military actions will not change a Country that is ruled by extreme Islamic views.

[mrcontinental]

The nation lost a good one today.

Things are about to take a turn for the worst in short order in the middle east.

[Chuckwheat]

So now no one prominent's in the way of war with Iran? The Boy Decider can taste his legacy, a banquet of death.

[Balto]

Remember, El Presidente belongs to Skull & Bones. Death is his middle name.

Anybody out there belongs to the 5th Fleet, keep in mind the odds are the Iranians will sink you if we attack them.

[Balto]

Time for the CIA to thaw out another LHO.

[ErnestineBass]

My sentiments exactly, mrc.

Fallon was our firewall.

Tick tock...tic­k tock...

[julia06]

Yikes!!
Please everyone who can "Digg" this so story gets traction!!
Did I already say yikes??!!!!

[realpolitic]

Yes, you said yikes once already. Well said!

[RedWhiteandBlueState]

Fallon said that he was not alone, according to the source, adding, "There are several of us trying to put the crazies back in the box."

"The Crazies". This is how the top Military officer in the Middle East describes our President and the Neo-cons.

Wow.

[syllepsis]

Plain truth is beautiful.
I suggest Congress examine the 25th Amendment, it was written for just this scenario.

[joebaggadonuts]

Um, that would need toe VP's cooperation to work.

[JessWonderin]

"crazies" . . at last a REAL assessment of the Administration and it's Policies from someone with the perspective an d wisdom to know shit from Shinola . . .

God help America when the last Adult is force out and the "crazies" roam free . . .

Deliver us from NeoCONS.

[williamscody]

Wow. Okay. A complete lie, but whatever you say.

[larry278]

To HP Monitors/Editor: Wm Fallon is a Navy man. He is an Admiral, not a General. Unless you wish to impugn Arianna Huffingtop & HP's reputatiom for accuracy correct & change the headline on HP's "Home" page to read Admiral at once or sooner. From time to time HP's headline writers make boneheaded mistakes. Calling Wm Fallon a General is the mother of all boneheaded mistakes which HP's headline writers have made since HP came on line. Allowing the boneheaded headline about "General" [Fallon] resigning will delay HP from being recognized as America's 1st on-line newspaper of record. I should be grateful if you asked Ms Huffington to read this comment when she examines the contents of HP. In the unlikely event any monitor chooses to put this comment of mine on HP, below the story of Adm Fallon resigning-OVERRULE THAT DECISION. Us the time to correct the teaser headline on HP's "HOME" page or section to read "Admiral" & delete the word "General" from the teaser headline. This comment does not fit any of the rules HP & HP's monitors use to decide if a comment is to appear on HP. Thank you!!

[prestodan]

This article is just fascinating stuff. Once again, a voice of reason disappears in the dark cloud of the neocons, who don't know how to walk away from a fight. As someone who served in the military during the Reagan years, I can make this general statement about the republicans. They talk a big game about support of the troops, but when it comes down to it, they look at the military as errand boys. The loss of life and damage done to families by their recklessness doesn't usually hurt their well-heeled constituents anyway, so who cares if a few unnecessary lives are lost? Reagan did that in Lebanon, where he lost the lives of 250 Marines for nothing, and against the advice of his own administration - but skated by on his popularity. Bush the first invaded Panama, destroying entire neighborhoods and killing thousands to catch a drug dealer. W. has shown himself to be the most reckless, invading Iraq seeking a feel good victory to cover for the negligence they were guilty of in the run up to Sept. 11th. Bill Clinton actually showed good sense to get the F out of Somalia before that went amok, and showed tactical efficiency in the air war over Serbia. If the resignation of Adm. Fallon is a sign that W. is going to strike Iran, God help us. Bush and Cheney are idiots and should be brought up on charges for attacking TWO countries which didn't warrant it. Hopefully the resignation is simply due to the well documented friction the admiral has had with the Bushies, and their willing political tool, St. David Petraeus.