Gen. David Petraeus: An 'awful' choice for CIA director?
President Obama reportedly plans to nominate Petraeus to replace CIA chief Leon Panetta, who will become the next secretary of defense
![Gen. David Petraeus, the celebrated architect of the surge strategy in Iraq, will reportedly be named President Obama's next CIA chief.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QPaWRGFGBvo4VTpKvtTYQL-415-80.jpg)
President Obama is expected to reshuffle his national security team this week, naming CIA Director Leon Panetta his new defense secretary, and bringing Gen. David Petraeus back from Afghanistan to take over at the intelligence agency. The 72-year-old Panetta has a long résumé in government and "is expected to win easy confirmation," says Laura Rozen at Yahoo! News. Petraeus is also expected to be confirmed, but recent rumors of his possible move to Washington have left some observers "scratching their heads." Is the four-star general who successfully led the Iraq surge really the right choice to lead the CIA?
No, he's an 'awful' pick: The general doesn't have the humility, analytical skills, or team-based approach needed to succeed at the CIA, says a former top intelligence official, quoted anonymously by ABC News. There's been friction between the military and the CIA regarding the Afghan war effort, so it's odd that one of the general's top priorities will be to evaluate his own efforts in the region. "I don’t know of anybody in my former world who thinks this is a good idea."
"The case against David Petraeus at CIA"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Yes, he's a smart choice: These days, the CIA looks less like an intel agency and more "like a military outfit run by civilians," says Shane Harris at Washingtonian. Given that shift, Petraeus is the right choice. He has "an unparalleled understanding of counterterrorism operations" and "will face practically no learning curve" on battlefield efforts when he takes over the director's office at Langley.
"Petraeus and Panetta: What their new roles mean for the CIA and Defense Department"
This could actually vault Petraeus to the White House: The general, who's 58, is already seen as a hero, and broadening his experience by serving as CIA director could make him a "formidable candidate" in 2016, says Ewen MacAskill at The Guardian. Petraeus has played down his political ambitions, but he isn't shy about speaking to the press, and "he behaves as if he is preparing the ground" for a political career. If that's the case, it may be good for him to leave Afghanistan, where the war effort "is proving more difficult than Iraq."
"Petraeus in profile: The man who could be president"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published