Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 4, 2008 3:49:03 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

US Admiral in Charge of Mideast Quits

Posted Mar 11, 08 3:50 PM CDT in US,  Politics 

(Newser) – The top US military commander for the Middle East resigned today after the publication of a magazine profile that portrayed him as a vocal opponent of the Bush administration's Iran strategy, the AP reports. Adm. William Fallon, head of US Central Command, denied any rift and said he stepped down only because recent press reports created a "distraction at a critical time," ABC News reports.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Fallon quit of his own accord and called suggestions his departure signals a Mideast policy shift "ridiculous." "It isn't the result of any one article or any one issue," he said. The Esquire article said Fallon was “brazenly challenging his commander in chief” and described him as being a lone voice in the administration arguing against the use of military force on Tehran, NBC reports.

Sources: Associated Press, MSNBC, ABC News

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • On Iraq, Petraeus Has Bush's Ear

    Apr 6, 08 1:10 PM CDT
    On Iraq, Petraeus Has Bush's Ear George Bush and top Iraq commander David Petraeus have a close relationship unusual for wartime presidencies, the Washington Post reports. The president skips over several middlemen, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, to speak directly and regularly with Petraeus, and has fully deferred to the general on controversial Iraq decisions. But some top officials worry that the views of one man are trumping their own. More »

  • New US Mideast Commander Installed

    Mar 29, 08 8:58 AM CDT
    New US Mideast Commander Installed A new commander has taken temporary charge of US military operations in the Mideast, after a quiet ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida yesterday. Lt. Gen Martin Dempsey will run CentCom while the administration seeks a permanent replacement for Adm. William Fallon, who quit abruptly earlier this month amid media reports that he was opposed to President Bush's policy on Iran, the St. Petersburg Times reports. More »

  • As Bush Foe, Admiral's Days Were Numbered

    Mar 12, 08 7:53 PM CDT
    As Bush Foe, Admiral's Days Were Numbered It's amazing that Adm. William Fallon held on to his job as long as he did while openly disagreeing with the Bush administration on matters of military strategy, writes John Barry in Newsweek. Fallon's continued insistence that war with Iran is a lousy idea finally led to his resignation yesterday as head of US forces in the Mideast. This month's Esquire profile of Fallon noted that "the president may have had enough." More »

President Bush shakes hands with head of the U.S. Central command, Navy Admiral William J. Fallon before a speech to coalition forces during a visit to the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base...   (Associated Press)
Adm. William Fallon, commander of the U. S. Central Command, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington in this May 3, 2007 file photo. Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Tuesday, March 11, 2008, that...   (Associated Press)
Adm. William Fallon, the commander of U.S. Forces in the Middle East, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the fiscal...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

George W. Bush • Iran • Bush administration • Robert Gates • resignation • Tehran • military strategy • William Fallon • Central Command


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Politics Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »