[Old Teufel Hunden]

"I don’t know why everyone is assuming the next Secretary of Defense will be a military person."

He will be a military defense expert, perhaps not necessarily a former General. I haven't seen one military defense expert who has come out in favor of this Syrian pullout. Have you?

[Alberta's Child]

I haven't ... but then I haven't seen many comments on this from people other than politicians anyway.

Keep in mind that I am wary of anyone who is an "expert" in these matters. In fact, I wouldn't trust anyone who has been working for a Beltway think tank for any length of time.