Rumsfeld Quietly Sidesteps General Franks With Proven Airborne Ranger Warfighter.

WashTimes "Inside Ring" | Gertz/Scarborough

[MindBender26]

Pentagon chatter says Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld finally has his own man at U.S. Central Command to supervise a war against Iraq: Army Lt. Gen. John P. Abizaid.

Officials said the hard-charging Mr. Rumsfeld was not always happy with the way Gen. Tommy Franks ran the war in Afghanistan. He has worried that Gen. Franks, chief of U.S. Central Command, will not be innovative enough in waging war against Iraq.

Now, however, Mr. Rumsfeld has plucked a general from the Joint Staff at the Pentagon and sent him to Central Command as Mr. Franks' deputy. In fact, Gen. Abizaid is already at CentCom's warfighting command center in Qatar getting ready to direct a war.

It was an odd move, given that CentCom already had a deputy commander, who is staying at its Tampa headquarters. But it does give Mr. Rumsfeld a deputy in the Gulf region whom he fully trusts.

A favorite of the defense secretary, Gen. Abizaid is a West Point graduate and career infantryman who speaks fluent Arabic, a skill that should help with Persian Gulf allies.

He also speaks German and Italian, a skill that helped when he commanded the 1st Infantry Division in Germany in 1999-2000.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[Valin]

ping

[B-Cause]

Way to go Yasotay.

Might want to mention some other examples you have had with him.

[Vinnie_Vidi_Vici]

If you read the book that "Stormin' Norman" wrote about the Gulf war, you'll find that Tommy Franks was close to being relieved for being too slow to advance his armored column. He darn near screwed the pooch. I was really surprised when he was advanced to the position he has.

[OneLoyalAmerican]

This should have Hussein & Sons rethinking the "Step-Mother Of All Battles" plan.

[Republic of Texas]

I would say the same about every Lebanese (American) CHRISTIAN that I've met as well.

[Mr. Mojo]

Just as Gen Abizaid is 100% American. I've known a few Americans of Lebanese decent when I was in the Army. They were top notch, born in the U.S.A., and I never questioned their loyalty.

And I agree 100%. I would only question is loyalty if he were a Muslim, which thankfully he is not.

[Enterprise]

"I would only question is loyalty if he were a Muslim, which thankfully he is not."

If he were a Muslim, it would give me some concerns too. But then we know that muslims kill other muslims, and they haven't hesitated to kill each other by the tens of thousands, so maybe it still wouldn't matter.

[fourdeuce82d]

504th Parachute Infantry Regiment bump!!

[fourdeuce82d]

Did you hear about the more than 300 guys who cut their own orders for DS

Wow! I'd love to pass this story around- have you seen any documentation on this?

[Yasotay]

One of the most important things about Abizaid's career is that he was also a FAO (Foreign Area Officer) in Amman Jordan! It is clear that he is greasing the skids for the Iraqi exiles who are probably in Jordan.

[archy]

I do agree with your seperation of military leaders into warriors and politicos. That's as good an insight as any.

I'd like to have two armies: one for display with tanks, guns, little soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering Generals, and dear little regimental officers, who would be deeply concerned over the General's bowel movements or their colonel's piles: an army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country.

The other would be the real one, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camoflauge uniforms, who would not be put on display, but from whom, impossible efforts would be demanded, and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That's the Army in which I should like to fight.

Jean Larteguy; The Centurions, 1962

[MindBender26]

Frank / Franks, Two seperate officers.

[damper99]

You are mistaken about Tommy Franks....it was Freddy Franks, the VII Corps Cdr that was thought to be overly cautious in the initial hours of the ground operation in Desert Storm. Don't accuse a soldier when your facts are flaky, Sir!

[Redbob]

So, Rummy's Arab-in-Charge has a total combat experience consisting of the invasion of Grenada?

I'd be afraid that Iraq might put up just a tad more resistance than the handful of Cubans in Grenada.

More to the point: Is Abizaid a Muslim?

[archy]

...I trust Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld. I'd like him to find a replacement for the four-star general in the Air Force that doesn't appear reassuring of his abilities either. Everytime I see him on television along with Mr. Rumfeld, I come away with knowing that we can do better. His name escapes me, but his face does not.

Ralph Everhart, sometimes called *Everready Ralph,* or *Everweaddy Wabbit* by those under him in Space Command and NORAD? Rumsfeld personally elevated his position to one to be held by an O-10, which I guess is one way to get a promotion when your job slot doesn't call for it.

He seems a probable choice for some double-dipping as either an aerospace contractor's rep or for a senior *civilian* position on the military side of NASA after he retires, but that's down the road and subject to the political winds of change, of course.

[Redleg Duke]

Wrong Franks!

[cynicom]

Muslim??? I did not find that, but with first name of John, I suspect he is Christian.

[Yasotay]

It was also amazing watching him during Provide Comfort (on CNN) walk up to the Iraqi roadblocks and force them open. I can only imagine what was going through those Iraqi soldiers' heads as an American LTC walks up to their roadblock and starts talking to them in Arabic .... It will be interesting toi see him on Fox this time ....trying to talk Saddam and his sons out of their bunkers!

[Redbob]

Yes, a Christian, as I see from reading more posts.