Pentagon wants 'surge' general to be Middle East commander

General David Petraeus, leader of the US war effort in Iraq, has been nominated by the Bush administration to become the senior Middle East commander of US forces, it was announced on Apr. 23. The Pentagon plans to install Petraeus as the successor to his former superior, Admiral William Fallon, who resigned abruptly last month in a row over the administration's aggressive approach to Iran. If confirmed by the Senate, Petraeus would take over the US central command later in the year. Fallon often clashed with Petraeus over the war, criticizing the general's plans for the troop "surge" and predicting that the demands of Iraq would leave the military unprepared for other potential conflicts. Petraeus is close to President Bush and his ascension in the ranks, either to command the Middle East region or NATO, was long expected in Washington. Petraeus's ally and longtime No 2, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, is set to replace him on the ground in Iraq. Both men face a Senate confirmation vote that is certain to expose fresh rifts over the wisdom of the "surge" and the coming halt in troop withdrawals. Defense Secretary Robert Gates urged a vote on the Petraeus nomination by the end of May. Central Command, headquartered in the state of Florida, supervises the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as US military operations throughout the Middle East, central Asia and the Horn of Africa. Before Fallon stepped aside on Mar. 28, the starkest contrast between him and Petraeus came over Iran. Fallon departed after an interview in Esquire magazine portrayed him as the lone force slowing the president's march to war with Tehran. Petraeus, however, has often laid blame for the escalating violence in Iraq at the Iranians' door. His move to the Middle East command, which the Pentagon said should come by autumn, signals an antagonistic approach to Iran during the final days of the Bush presidency. The Esquire report on Fallon generated significant speculation about whether he was forced out in preparation for US military action against Iran, a charge the Pentagon denied.