A Likely Successor Emerges To Lead U.S. Forces In Iraq

Photo: Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III served two tours in Iraq. Saad Shalash/Reuters

Likely Successor Emerges to Lead U.S. Forces in Iraq -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — The leading candidate to succeed Gen. Ray Odierno as the top American commander in Iraq is Lloyd J. Austin III, an Army lieutenant general who has done two tours in Iraq and currently serves as a senior aide to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, senior military and civilian officials say.

Acting on the recommendation of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, President Obama has asked General Odierno to extend his tour in Baghdad until September. That means that General Odierno will be in charge when the United States reduces its troop level to 50,000 in August and officially proclaims the end to its combat mission in Iraq.

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My Comment: This is not going to be an easy job. The next 2 to 3 years are going to be critical in Iraq .... with many pitfalls and disasters possible. I can only hope that he and his staff will be up to the job.

As for General Odierno, he is a step or two away from being appointed to the Joint Chiefs.