Adm. William Fallon, off to a quiet start

[babylonsister]

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/616/story/67199.html

War commander off to a quiet start
By ROBERT BURNS - AP Military Writer


WASHINGTON --
Admirers of Adm. William J. Fallon salute his reputation for deft diplomacy. Judging from his first weeks as top commander of American forces in the Middle East, a talent for tact has served him well in many countries of the region except, perhaps, the one that matters most - Iraq.

Fallon is off to a quiet start as President Bush's surprise choice to succeed Army Gen. John Abizaid as head of Central Command. He is overseeing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while managing military relationships with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other nations at the center of Bush's strategy in fighting terrorism.

About the biggest splash he has made was deciding to retire the phrase "Long War," which is how the Arabic-speaking Abizaid described the global conflict against Islamic extremists.

The term was used frequently by Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Fallon apparently was concerned it alienated Middle Eastern audiences by giving them the impression U.S. forces would remain in combat indefinitely.

more...