Generals Reject War Post

Three retired generals declined when asked by the White House to fill a new post to run the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Guardian reports. One candidate, Marine General John Sheehan, told the Washington Post he turned down the war czar job because hawkish Vice President Dick Cheney still has too much influence.

"The very fundamental issue is they don't know where the hell they're going," Sheehan said. "Rather than go over there, develop an ulcer and eventually leave, I said, 'No, thanks.'" The new position, reporting directly to the president, is designed to coordinate efforts by Defense, State and other departments. The czar would have "tasking authority" over the agencies. (More Iraq stories.)