MIDDLE EAST: Fallon’s fall highlights debate over U.S. policy on Iran

Just days after a controversial article in Esquire magazine described Adm. William J. Fallon as the man standing in the way of a Bush administration war against Iran, he resigned his post, most likely under White House pressure, leaving as commander of Florida-based U.S. Central Command, or Centcom, and all U.S. military operations in the Middle East, Central Asia and Northeast Africa more than a year early.

Iran wasn’t the only point of contention between Fallon (right) and the rest of the Bush administration. As Los Angeles Times Pentagon reporters Julian E. Barnes and Peter Spiegel point out in Wednesday’s paper, Fallon seemed to oppose the U.S. strategy in Iraq, as well:

Supporters of the administration's troop buildup have criticized Fallon for pushing for an accelerated reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq. By doing so, they argued, Fallon undermined the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus. "He fought Petraeus every step of the way, creating unrealistic demands and extra work," said a former senior Pentagon official who has worked directly with both men. "And in so doing, he was not only undermining Petraeus, he was failing to support the president's policy."

But, it was Fallon's words on Iran policy that riled neoconservative White House and Beltway hawks. The Esquire article describes the conflict over Iran policy as a Manichaean fight between a Bush administration hellbent on confrontation and a Fallon equally determined to cool down tensions:

[W]hile Admiral Fallon's boss, President George W. Bush, regularly trash-talks his way to World War III and his administration casually casts Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as this century's Hitler (a crown it has awarded once before, to deadly effect), it's left to Fallon — and apparently Fallon alone — to argue that, as he told Al Jazeera last fall: "This constant drumbeat of conflict ... is not helpful and not useful. I expect that there will be no war, and that is what we ought to be working for. We ought to try to do our utmost to create different conditions." What America needs, Fallon says, is a "combination of strength and willingness to engage."

And as Washington reporter Gareth Porter points out in a piece for the online Asia Times, Fallon's opposition to Iran policy wasn't just rhetorical. It meant hardware wasn't positioned in key places on the geopolitical map at key times:

Even before assuming his new post at CENTCOM, Fallon expressed strong opposition in mid-February to a proposal for sending a third US aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf, to overlap with two other carriers, according to knowledgeable sources. The addition of a third carrier was to be part of a broader strategy then being discussed at the Pentagon to intimidate Iran by making a series of military moves suggesting preparations for a military strike. The plan for a third carrier task force in the Gulf was dropped after Fallon made his views known.

Fallon will be replaced at least for now by his deputy, Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey (right), who served twice in Iraq.

Neoconservatives celebrated Fallon's departure. Max Boot was the foreign policy pundit who labeled Fallon as "unimpressive" in January this year. In an opinion piece in Wednesday's L.A. Times, he argues that Fallon just didn't get it, with regard to Iran:

Fallon's very public assurances that America has no plans to use force against Iran embolden the mullahs to continue developing nuclear weapons and supporting terrorist groups that are killing American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.... By irresponsibly taking the option of force off the table, Fallon makes it more likely, not less, that there will ultimately be an armed confrontation with Iran.

But the story may not end here. Lawmakers are already calling for investigations into Fallon's departure.

And, of course, more likely than not, Fallon's got a tell-all book in the works, as with so many other ex-administration officials.

— Borzou Daragahi in Beirut

Photos: From top, Centcom's area of operations stretches from Central Asia through the Middle East to the Horn of Africa; Fallon; Dempsey. Credit: Centcom website

Comments

[zno]

Hey Jason, you want to go back to WW2, and you think that it would be different now becauase "the left" has taken over? There are several problems with that. First, the United States did not enter WW2 until WE WERE ATTACKED!!! Now we are the aggressor, invading and occupying other nations based on outright lies. We were attacked on 9/11, by a group of terrorists the majority of which were from Saudi Arabia. However, we wholeheatedly support the dictatorship in Saudi Arabia. The US had every reason to invade Afganistan and oust the terrorsit harboring Taliban, however, because of our invasion of Iraq and inept leadership, we have not accomplished our mission there. Dude, what don't you get about the simple reality?!!! The left has taken over? Are you crazy? Our President is the most conservative in history. And also, you say that we should go back to WW2, but both presidents during WW2 were Democrats. What is your point? That we should elect a democrat? Well, with that point I agree.

[zengeos]

No the President of Iran didn't say Wipe Israel off the map. In essence, he said that he would return the middle east to where Israel does not exist and one can take it further, as evidenced by his mis-education to make every efforts to remove Israel from history. Heck, the Mufti of Jerusalem is trying to do the same thing on the Temple Mount even now, with the Israeli government doing nothing because the Temple Mount is controlled by Muslims

As for Israel nuking anyone...won't happen unless someone else attacks Israel successfully, with WMD's...chemical, biologic or nuclear. IF that happens, who knows how Israel might respond.

So far Israel has had quite some success in her enemies gaining WMD's that might be used against Israel...but things change...

[D.]

I believe that the real reason America invaded Iraq, is because of Iran. This is why:

The United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia have known for some time that Iran was very close to developing nuclear power, with the potential for the creation of nuclear weapons.

Saddam Hussein was no threat to anyone in the region because of his defeat in the first Gulf War, crippling sanctions and the declared "no-fly zones". However, it was realized that with Iran soon becoming a nuclear nation, Saddam was no longer the buffer between Shiite Islam and Sunni Islam. There was simply no way for him to counter the growing threat which Iran could pose to its regional neighbours. Therefore, he had to be removed.

Iraq was only a stepping-stone.

Iran has always been the real target.

Which makes the possibility that there was a 9/11 conspiracy between the intelligence services of the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Israel and the elites in America and the monarchy of Saudi Arabia -- all the more real, as the excuse which would give them the reason to remove Saddam to deal with Iran. Remember, the strong ties and connections between the Bush family and the House of Saud go back more than 20 years. Is it really such a co-incidence that the 19 hijackers were all from Saudi Arabia? Most likely Bin Laden is nothing more of a patsy being used in a grand scheme to topple Iran and its Ayatollahs. Bin Laden probably doesn't even realize it in his religious and zealous anti-U.S./Israel fervor. And if he does, he most likely long ago accepted his place in a distorted history as a "lion of Islam" defending his people against the "Great Satan".

Regardless, the most likely scenario to come from this recent news of Admiral Fallon's so-called "resignation", will be that Israel will unilaterally bomb Iran's nuclear reactor, with Iran striking back in the Gulf of Oman and in Iraq, prompting the U.S. to begin strategic bombing of Iranian cities and military targets.

The other possible scenario, is that the U.S. will stage a "false flag" attack inside the U.S. using either a low-yield nuclear weapon on an already degraded city (such as New Orleans) or a biological attack on the greater U.S. Bush and Cheney will site so-called "evidence" of Iranian involvement and begin their air campaign of strategic bombing. Bush will declare martial law in the streets all over America, prompting the roundup of thousands of American citizens for incarceration inside the Blackwater "concentration camps" which have already been built. The excuse could also be that they be rounded up because of "infection" from a so-called biological attack. Bush will enact his recent Presidential Executive Order giving him sole power over all three branches of government, cancel the November elections siting a "heightened state of war", thereby making him for all intensive purposes a dictator in a police state for an unlimited amount of time.

Russia and China will not allow an attack on Iran to occur without their involvement. It could very quickly escalate into all-out nuclear warfare.

The only way this can be prevented, is if the top American military brass refuses their orders to attack Iran, and they stage a coup against the U.S. government to forcibly remove Bush and Cheney from their dangerous positions of power. Top German officials and military leaders were forced to do the same against Hitler when they realized he was quickly bringing about the end of Germany as a nation.

Hopefully, the ultra-patriotism and nationalism which presently holds America in its tight grip will not deter those with the ability to stop total armageddon doing the same against Bush and Cheney.

If they are true patriots, they will understand the definite choice they will have to make.

Let's hope they make the right decision.

[Ron]

To HAHA
I'm more then willing to listen to an intelligent rebuttal. The only issue is how will a liberal give an honestly rebuttal?
No one created the mess but the liberals in the Democratic party. Then knew what was going to happen when they came up with the rules. The felt it was ok to stripe millions of voters because of their rules. Basically saying that their rules are more important then peoples votes. Now they are going to come up with an do over because the best laid plans of mice and men went badly.

I really don't blame the Democratic party for Spitzer even though Democrats jump all over other parties when a member does something like this. Spitzer was just a very bad person. Makes no difference which party he's in.

P.S. The demographics don't look good for liberals in any party. It's a downhill slope and it's getting steeper each cycle. Which I think is actually a good thing for the Democratic party. Get rid of most liberals. More moderates will offset the Right wing Republicans and maybe both parties will meet in the middle.
That's the real key to a better America.

[D]

For those who say that Iran is trying to make nuclear bombs, are you not aware that US already HAS nuclear bombs?

Therefore, does that give some other country the right to bomb us?? Of course not.

Furthermore, for the one who talked about contracts and giving your life up for a tuition, let me clarify something for you, children do not choose their parents. It's not their fault that they need to find another means to fund their education.

On another note, I'm quite sure that if there was a purpose to the war instead of pre-emptive strikes then soldiers wouldn't mind defending their country. However, when you put a teen's life on the line because you played "psychic" and foretold of bad comings, that's a problem.

In any case, I'd like to thank the brave admiral for trying to prevent another WWIII. I'm happy and relieved to know that there are men out there driven to prevent unncessary bloodshed. God bless you!!!!!

[Matt]

"I tremble for my country when I remember that God is just."
- Thomas Jefferson

[Worried Sick]

Youtube McCain singing "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran" to the tune of the old Beach Boys song. Regardless of Bush or McCain, the Republicans want war in Iran. And if my neighbors are any guage, we're almost there. Most bumper sticks around me are "Freedom isn't Free", "Support our Troops", etc. I think the nation just needs a little nudge (which Bush can engineer easily) and we'll be sending missles off aircraft carriers. How else can the NeoCons retain control?

There is a peace march in LA this weekend (March 15 at noon at Hollywood and Vine) be there if you value peace.

[Tom Paine]

This only way this is going to stop is for the Democratic Party to grow a backbone and impeach the criminals Bush and Cheney

[Adolph Hitler]

You people are really dumb. Iran is a threat, and must be attacked before they attack you ! That is why I attacked Poland, Austria, France, England, Norway, Russia, north Africa: when you are surrounded by enemies that want you dead, you must catch them off guard and attack first. Only that way can you ensure a peaceful Reich for a thousand years !

And there are enemies in your midst: you must not allow them to sap your strength, to whisper false ideas that will confuse the weak willed. Round them up, put them in concentration camps, make an example of them. This is War, Iran and possibly Burundi want you all dead. Do what you must do, let History decide who best protected the Fatherland !

[duncan]

this article without doubt gets me shaken up quite a bit. coming across articles like these hinting at the plans of our govt or the man that seemingly disregards it is very worrisome to me and should be to everyone coming across the article. having read this, i wish for every person of voting age by this fall to have read this article VERY tentitively.

being 20 and having 10s and 10s of friends in the armed service, i cannot imagine another conflict starting up this near to george bush's long awaited departure from office. as touched on by earlier commentors, another conflict is not only highly uneconomical, but it's incredibly unrealistic in every single sense of the word with two conflicts currently that already draw so much rightful critisism.

it's my dying wish as a 20 yr old that if a new conflict did elapse between our nation and Iran, sigh, or any country for that matter, that george bush will have absolutely nothing to do with how it is executed. at this point after so many things have happened to define and taint bush's era not only for himself and his family, but moreso than that, for the american people. His plummiting approval ratings and the numerous other examples that need not be repeated and repeated as they are everyday that if he did declare action against iran from a "defensive SUPRISE" standpoint that people would lash out, protest, etc, just as they have, hoping that this will make the difference.

unfortunately for the people protesting bush, he's never been one to take protestors and the act of protesting seriously when considering his political actions. someone remarked on the fact that there is only 9 months remaining in his term. now, unfortunately for americans, if a thats just enough time (if he pleased) for him to run the remainder of our country thru the floor as the new generations come along to pick up the pieces. the man has burned our american economy to the end of its wick, along with the trust and compassion of it's people. it's time for george bush's 8 year spending frenzy to come to an end. george bush has brought bad poor speeches, low morals (as displayed) and a national debt for even my grandchildren to thank him for AMONG SO MANY OTHERS IT INFURIATES ME. as a president, he has brought THESE bad tendencies to be normal among the viewers eye. every knowledgible citizen in the country knows that bush traded his approval ratings, for profit. his country's children, for KBR Halliburton's quadrupaling stock prices. in a situation that goes far beyond the calling complaints of citizens hearts aimed at the govt. complaints like mine and of other citizens charged at the govt last so long that most people don't even bother any longer because it's been such a poor 8 years. we now need to begin to rebuild whatever positive aspects of our country (that i cannot even recognize any longer) that were prosperous before bush destroyed generations and decades of our nations success, and bush, your economic stimulous plan should help to cover .00001% of the debt that you have encurred while spending our money.

i cry for the children of every citizen who votes republican in the next election. it's obvious that you don't get to be the president by just saying "hey, im going to run for president" they're in the candidacy because they're supporting the ideas of the people that are already in office. McCain, although a great war hero, which is what we don't need anymore, does support the ideals of the people already in office. George bush you have overstayed and overspent your welcome in this country by about a million fold and i wish you the cleanest departure of eternal silence this world has ever known. and to add, permitting the likes of McCain to be the successor to such an already terrible president would only bring about a larger catastrophy, the further plummit of our dollar, and the absence of national safety in our country even though it may seem drastic and extreme, what else happens to civilizations in this case? THEY DONT LAST. When the leaders are this poor, they sell out their people (which he has) for personal gain (which he's made) which is the reason they take oaths in the first place, bush has obviously forgotten his duty and applied some of his "signature" silver lining to the constitution.

all-in-all, great article regarding fallon. and may next january come tomorrow!!!

[HAHA]

Ron,

That's precious stuff, really....

[M.S.]

To OC Native Mike:

The president of Iran never said such a statement like this: "wiping Israel off the map." Of course, the American news media translated it as such, but in Farsi it does not mean that. You really need to go and research this, to find out what he really said and find out why this was never corrected in the first place.

[Ron]

I am always amazed at the violence that a liberal is willing to commit to get his/her views across.
There is seldom anything about a liberal that is open other then some else wallet.

A liberal always knows what's best for everyone. Just ask them. And when you have a difference of opinion they start calling for beheadings and war crimes trials.

Clean up your own houses first. Get some Democrats that are not totally whacked out.
You people can't even rig election correctly. You blew up Fla and Michigan and in the middle of the process you want to go back and change it. Democrats stole the election votes of millions of voters and disenfranchises two huge states. No Republicans needed. You have an anti-corruption Governor of NY who is paying for whores with credit cards. The same way he caught so many others doing the same thing.
Arrogant liberals as the scourge of the country. Thank GOD that they are a dying breed. Still holding on to the Democratic party but losing more each cycle. Good riddance.

[Scott Perry]

I just hope we all survive the next 10 months without any further mania blossoming into another pointless loss of lives and treasure in Iran, scrambling always to divert attention from the administration's failures of the past. Thank God for term limits on the presidency.

Scott Perry

[Get Real!]

Gary M,

Country controlled by the left?!?! oookkkkk, riiiigghhhttt, not sure if you've been paying attention for the last 7 or so years but until 2006 the Republicans controlled the two of three branches of government (and one could easily argue the judiciary as well). You're just as fanatical as those with the far left commentary that you so despise. It's comical actually.

On the issue itself, one can't deny that Iran does pose a threat but what do you do about it? North Korea poses a threat as well... and what about Russia, they're quickly rewinding into an aggresive anti-western posture. People like yourself would have us invade these countries and for what? Kill a bunch of Persians, Koreans, whatever have you. The best part about all this is that China is sitting by and just raking in the cash and slowly positioning themselves to dominate the world both economically and militarily.

With people like you and everyone else on this board we'll accelerate our demise quicker than you can say Pat Buchanan.

[xman]

I been giving odd 2 to 1 that after the summer conventions and before Oct 15th that Bush will attack Iran ( he tried two times before ). The we will then have to rally around the flag/President/ Rep canidate- who is the only one who can defeat Iran, as the othe canidate can not be trusted. I been right on every thing so far. Then we all can enjoy $9.00 buck gas.

[whiteyward]

Great military leaders like this admiral should be listened to by the citizens of the USA. What makes them great is speaking up to the monkey and his but wipes in the administration. We are now getting ready to cancel the election and draft our kids to feed rockafellers ovens. Are you armed? Are you scared ? Are you ready to die for what you believe in? We must soon take this war to the streets of the USA, we must march and protest and strike this time and we must mean it. I will not sit here and watch tv as this crazy man kills a million children in Iran. Stop this war now.

[frank H. Logan]

This is for Jason, who said, "If we had to redo WW2 today wed get our asses kicked cause the left has taken over this country."

You know, Jason, during WWII, the left was basically in charge of the country so how does that make your post look?

In that regard, FDR did the opposite of what W did in Iraq. He put Republicans in his cabinet so the country could have a bipartisan foreign policy. W, unlike any other American president, has used the war as a political weapon against the Democrats, a policy that would have threatened the whole effort if the war hadn't been already rendered unwinnable by his dismal administration of the occupation.

[Steve Real]

Admiral Fallon did not understand the art of the deal
or the art of politiks. (and Islamic hstory)

What did he honestly think he was doing?
Did he really think he was helping US out?

Admiral Fallon weakened the US diplomatic position
by laying all our cards on the table
for the whole world to see.

It was like he was from amateur town being taken for a ride
on the Vegas strip by a bunch of professionals.

I would have fired him 6 months ago for weaking the US diplomatic position.

Do we have to spell it out for you,
the whole pyschology behind the art of the deal
or can we find someone with a little more politikally savvy
and who's quicker on the uptake?

[NN]

Bush, Cheney, et al. The inner circle of neocons in and about the White House will be looking for the right time and opportunity to create a major international security crisis that will overshadow the elections and will provide a pretense to keep the current adminstration in power until such time as the "crisis" subsides.

We were witness to a modern day "coup de etas" with the elections in 2000, a bloodless coup, where the electoral process was hijacked. We will witness in 2008, for the first time in US history an attempt to extend the term of a president beyond its two term limit and a setting aside the will of the people, by the same band of thugs. A state of fear and crisis will be created, whether its the "threat" in Iran, another terrorist attack on US soil, or a limited nuclear risk in Pakistan, Khazikstan, or "Another -stan". Whatever the scenario fabricated or otherwise, journalists, reporters, the media and the press must never again fall short of its democratic duty to investigate, analyze, and report the facts, providing our democracy with an objective and rational voice to counter the double talk and group think that led up to the invasion in Iraq.