ADM Fallon Retires

Thom Shanker and David Stout of the New York Times are reporting that Adm. William J. Fallon, commander of US Central Command whose views on Iran and other issues have seemed to put him at odds with the Bush administration, is retiring early, the Pentagon said Tuesday afternoon.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Press Conference – Transcript
President Bush Remarks on Admiral Fallon’s Retirement – Transcript

While much will certainly (indeed, already  has been) made about ADM Fallon’s political stances and the role such may have played in his hasty departure of under a year, many of these comments have been within DEFSEC Gate’s own cautions and concerns.  What may have proved the greater cause may more likely be found in his ongoing disagreements with Gen Petraeus and the tenets of counterinsurgency more broadly.  No matter what, certainly an interesting change for a man who was heralded as bringing a new era to CENTCOM only a year ago when many noted that the “traditionally strategic-focused Navy (rather than the doctrine obsessed Army)” would bring coherency to modern warfare.  With hindsight on  my side, I would point outside of the already outdated service-based mindset.

[EDIT] Obligatory link to comments at the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and Christian Science Monitor. Commentary by Max Boot at the Los Angeles Times, the gang at Abu Muqawama, Galrahn at Information Dissemination, Jules Crittenden at Forward Movement, Westhawk, Jason Sigger at Danger Room, Blackfive, and Zenpundit.

Tom Barnett, as SWJ pointed out, has no comment.