World

Petraeus the next CIA chief?

Commander of US forces in Afghanistan General Petraeus is being “seriously considered” for the job of CIA director.

Afp April 06, 2011

WASHINGTON: Commander of the US forces in Afghanistan General David Petraeus is being “seriously considered” for the job of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director, according to a report released late on Monday by National Public Radio (NPR).

Petraeus plans to leave his current post later this year, and NPR, citing unnamed government officials, reported that he “would take the job if offered.”

According to the report, Petraeus has coordinated with the CIA in his job as commander in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While it’s not certain that Petraeus will get any new job in the administration, NPR reported several weeks ago that his replacement in Afghanistan is expected to be Marine Lt Gen John Allen, who is currently deputy commanding officer of US Central Command, which covers both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Leon Panetta currently heads the CIA but is likely to replace Defence Secretary Robert Gates.

With additional input from News Desk

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (1)

Oberoi - World Cup Champion | 13 years ago | Reply If only Pakistan will dump their "strategic depth" mindset. This terrorism problem can be beaten. As the latest US report states, the terrorists still get their protection and training from Pakistan. I think the damage it is doing to Pakistan's sovereign image is largely ignored. As the world response to Pakistan's floods show, it is slowly but surely being cast as a pariah. I think the Pakistani people deserve better. The establishment cannot play with the future of the nation for their own selfish ends. The day might come when Pakistan will not be able to afford its military. The "strategic depth" theory has been tried for over 20 years with no progress on wresting Kashmir. All it has done is radicalize Pakistan. It is time to rethink that strategy for the sake of the people. The terrorists CANNOT survive in the long run without the patronage of the Pakistani military.

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