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July 24, 2008 7:42:34 AM CDT

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Petraeus Could Be Tapped to Head NATO

Posted Jan 21, 08 7:30 AM CST in World,  US 

(Newser) – Iraq’s top commander could be at the helm of NATO by the start of next year, the New York Times reports. While no final decisions have been made, the Pentagon is considering nominating Gen. Petraeus in September, installing him before the election dust settles in a new, highly prestigious, but less politically treacherous position. But some fear taking his hand off Iraq’s tiller.

As NATO chief, Petraeus would have a big role in Afghanistan, but Iraq would be left to a new commander, disrupting continuity. Some think Petraeus will be tapped to instead head Central Command, overseeing the whole Middle East. “Trying to guess Gen. Petraeus’ next assignment is the most popular parlor game in the Pentagon these days,” said one Defense Department spokesman.

Source New York Times

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Gen. David H. Petraeus, Commander of the Mutli-National Force listens to US President George W. Bush speak to members of the media, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008 in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez...   (Associated Press)
U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding general of the Multi-National Force in Iraq, speaks during a meeting with tribal members of the awakening council, in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007....   (Associated Press)
Army Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general, Multi-National Force-Iraq, answers a question during a roundtable with members of the Department of Defense press pool traveling with Secretary of Defense...   (Associated Press)
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Iraq  • Iraq war  • Afghanistan  • Pentagon  • David Petraeus  • NATO  • Defense Department  • US Central Command


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