CENTCOM General: No Pressure To Withdraw From Syria By A Specific Date

U.S. Army General Joseph Votel, commander, U.S. Central Command, briefs the media at the Pentagon in Washington, U.S. April 29, 2016 . REUTERS/YURI GRIPAS

Al Jazeera: No pressure to withdraw from Syria by specific date: US general

Votel says mission to defeat ISIL is 'driving the withdrawal' and 'main focus is making sure we protect our forces'.

The general overseeing US forces in the Middle East said on Thursday that he was under no pressure to withdraw forces from Syria by any specific date, after President Donald Trump ordered the pull-out of most US troops from Syria.

"What is driving the withdrawal of course is our mission, which is the defeat of ISIS and so that is our principal focus and that is making sure that we protect our forces, that we don't withdraw in a manner that increases the risk to our forces," Joseph Votel, head of the US Central Command, said during a House Armed Services Committee hearing.

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Update: Votel: No timeline for US troop withdrawal from Syria as ISIS caliphate nears end (Stars and Stripes)

WNU Editor: Even though there is no fixed withdrawal date, in the end what can 400 U.S. soldiers in Syria really do .... 400 American Troops Can’t Do Anything (Foreign Policy)

CENTCOM General: ISIS Is Far From Defeated

CNN: Top US general in Middle East says fight against ISIS 'far from over'

The top US general overseeing military operations in the Middle East warned Thursday that despite the terror group's territorial losses the fight against ISIS is "far from over," cautioning that the remnants of the group are positioning themselves for a potential resurgence.

"Reduction of the physical caliphate is a monumental military accomplishment but the fight against ISIS and violent extremism is far from over," Gen. Joseph Votel the commander of US Central Command told the House Armed Services Committee.

Votel acknowledged that the terror group's territory had shrunk from some 34,000 square miles at the height of its power to an area that is currently less than a single square mile in the Syrian town of Baghouz.

But he cautioned that many ISIS fighters have left these last pockets and have dispersed across Syria and Iraq.

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More News On CENTCOM Commander General Votel's Remarks That ISIS Is Far From Defeated

US General: Islamic State a 'Serious Generational Problem' -- VOA
ISIS is far from over, says US commander general Joseph Votel -- The National
Departing general warns ISIS remains ‘unrepentant, unbroken’ as it goes underground -- Washington Examiner
CENTCOM commander Gen. Votel: ISIS will be back -- Task & Purpose

CENTCOM General: 'Political Conditions' In Afghanistan Don't Merit A U.S. Military Withdrawal

General Joseph Votel, commander of US Central Command visited northern Syria on 21 MayREUTERS/Yuri Gripas

The Hill: Top general: 'Political conditions' in Afghanistan don't merit withdrawal yet

"Political conditions" in Afghanistan do not merit a U.S. military withdrawal right now, the top U.S. general in the region said Thursday.

“The political conditions, where we are in the reconciliation right now don’t merit that,” Central Command chief Gen. Joseph Votel told the House Armed Services Committee.

Votel’s testimony to the committee comes as the Trump administration’s special envoy for Afghanistan negotiations, Zalmay Khalilzad, has been ramping up efforts to reach a peace deal with the Taliban in the 18-year-old war.

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Update #1: Afghan situation does not merit US withdrawal: Top general (AFP)
Update #2: Senior US commander says time not right for drawdown of troops in Afghanistan (Washington Examiner)

WNU Editor: He is probably right, but the peace talks continue .... Afghanistan: Sparking violence overshadows peace talks with Taliban (DW).

CENTCOM General Votel Recommends Arming And Aiding Kurdish-Led Forces In Syria After Withdrawal

General Joseph Votel, commander of US Central Command visited northern Syria on 21 MayREUTERS/Yuri Gripas

Reuters: Exclusive: U.S. general recommends arming, aiding Syrian fighters after pullout

MUSCAT (Reuters) - The United States should keep arming and aiding the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) following the planned U.S. withdrawal from Syria, provided the group keeps up the pressure on Islamic State, a senior U.S. general told Reuters on Friday.

The recommendation by Army General Joseph Votel, who oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East as head of Central Command, is one of the strongest signs yet of U.S. military hopes for an enduring partnership with the SDF despite the concerns of NATO ally Turkey, which says Kurdish SDF fighters are terrorists.

“As long as they are fighting against ISIS and continue to keep pressure on them, I think it would seem to me to be in our interest to continue to provide the means for them to do that,” Votel said in an interview, using an acronym for Islamic State.

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WNU Editor: The Kurds have lived and fought in this part of the world for centuries. I am confident that they will survive when the U.S. leaves. But will the U.S. continue to aid the Kurds after they have left? I suspect that this relationship will continue even if U.S. forces are not there.

U.S. General Votel Disagrees With President Trump On Syrian Troop Pullout

Commanding General of U.S. Special Operations Command Gen. Joseph Votel. Army.mil

CNN: Top US general disagrees with Trump over Syria troop pullout

Muscat, Oman (CNN)The US commander who has been leading the war against ISIS told CNN Friday that he disagreed with Donald Trump's decision in December to pull troops out of Syria and warned that the terror group was far from defeated, in a stark difference of opinion with the President.

Joseph Votel, the top American general in the Middle East, also said that the US-backed forces on the ground in Syria were not ready to handle the threat of ISIS on their own.

"It would not have been my military advice at that particular time ... I would not have made that suggestion, frankly," Votel said of the troop withdrawal announcement. "(The caliphate) still has leaders, still has fighters, it still has facilitators, it still has resources, so our continued military pressure is necessary to continue to go after that network."

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More News On U.S. General Votel Disagreeing With President Trump On Syrian Troop Pullout

Trump's most senior Middle East general says ISIS is NOT defeated and he would have told the president to stay in Syria -- Daily Mail
General Joseph Votel breaks rank with Trump over Syria -- BBC
Top US General Disagrees on Troop Withdrawal From Syria -- Newsmax
Top US general: Trump wrong on Syria pullout, ISIS defeat -- The Hill

CENTCOM General Votel Senate Armed Services Committee Testimony

Reuters: As U.S. withdraws, top general warns on Islamic State threat in Syria

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top U.S. general warned on Tuesday that Islamic State would pose an enduring threat following a planned U.S. withdrawal from Syria, saying the militant group retained leaders, fighters, facilitators and resources that will fuel a menacing insurgency.

The remarks by U.S. General Joseph Votel, head of the U.S. military’s Central Command, represent the latest warning by current and former U.S. officials about the risk of a resurgence by Islamic State following a planned U.S. withdrawal from Syria ordered in December by President Donald Trump.

“We do have to keep pressure on this network. ... They have the ability of coming back together if we don’t,” Votel, who oversees troops in the Middle East as well as Afghanistan, told a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. He added that territory under Islamic State’s control had been reduced to less than 20 square miles (52 square km) and would be recaptured by U.S.-backed forces prior to the U.S. withdrawal, which he said would be carried out in a “deliberate and coordinated manner.”

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More News On CENTCOM General Votel's Senate Armed Services Committee Testimony

Top general says US has not shifted focus to 'watching' Iran from Iraq -- ABC News
US commander: IS hold in Syria, Iraq on verge of collapse -- AP
U.S. Military Commander Warns That Islamic State May Quickly Regroup -- The New York Times
Top US general says Trump did not consult him on Syria announcement -- CNN
U.S. general says wasn't consulted on Trump's Syria pullout order -- Reuters
Talks with Taliban in 'very, very early' stages: U.S. general -- Reuters
US general expresses support for Saudi coalition after CNN report on weapons in Yemen -- CNN
Top General in Middle East Says He Wasn’t Consulted on Syria Withdrawal -- Defense One

U.S. Central Command General Votel: Taliban 'Cannot Win Militarily' In Afghanistan. Iran's Strukes Against Israel Dangerous

RFE: U.S. General Says Taliban 'Cannot Win Militarily' In Afghanistan

The leader of the U.S. Central Command says the Taliban in Afghanistan “cannot win militarily” despite an uptick in attacks launched by the militants.

General Joseph Votel made the remark during a visit to Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, on May 11.

"The message I would send to the Taliban is that they cannot win militarily. The international coalition, led by the United States, is focused on providing the military pressure, in conjunction with social pressure and diplomatic pressure, that will force them to come to the table,” Votel said.

Votel also urged the Taliban to take advantage of the “very generous offer” put forward by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

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WNU Editor:  General Votel may beleive that the Taliban cannot win militarily, but the Taliban believe that they can.

Israeli Media: Commander of U.S. Central Command Makes Unannounced First Visit To Israel

General Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, delivers remarks at the National Council on at 26th Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference in Washington, U.S., October 18, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas Reuters

Times Of Israel: Commander of US troops in Syria makes unannounced first visit to Israel

Gen. Joseph Votel to meet with IDF chief, senior defense officials amid heightened tensions between Israel, Iran

The head of the US military’s Central Command, which is responsible for American activities in the Middle East, arrived in Israel on Monday to meet with senior Israeli officials for talks expected to focus on Syria and tensions between Jerusalem and Tehran, Israel’s Kan news broadcaster reported.

Despite this being the first trip to Israel by Gen. Joseph Votel, the current head of the Central Command, or CENTCOM, the visit has been without fanfare or publicity.

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WNU Editor: Gen. Joseph Votel does not make unannounced visits. Something is brewing, and my guess is that it centers on what is happening in Syria.

More News On Gen. Joseph Votel Making An Unannounced First Visit To Israel

Head of US forces in Syria visits Israel -- Arutz Sheva
US Central Command Visits Israel for the First Time -- Algemeiner
U.S. Central Command General Arrives in Tel Aviv, Discusses Regional Tensions -- Al Bawaba
US CENTCOM Chief Makes "Secret And Unprecedented" Visit To Israel As Russia Mulls Arming Syria -- Zero Hedge

Here Are Top Three Stunning Admissions That The Top U.S. General In The Middle East Made Last Week

U.S. Army General Joseph Votel, commander of the U.S. Central Command, arrives to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 13, 2018REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein

Haaretz/Reuters: Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia: Top Three Stunning Admissions From the Top U.S. General in the Middle East

Assad has won, Iran deal should stand and Saudis use American weapons without accountability in Yemen: head of U.S. military’s Central Command's stunning Congressional testimony.

The top U.S. general in the Middle East testified before Congress on Tuesday and dropped several bombshells: from signaled support for the Iran nuclear deal, admitting the U.S. does not know what Saudi Arabia does with its bombs in Yemen and that Assad has won the Syrian Civil War.

U.S. Army General Joseph Votel said the Iran agreement, which President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from, has played an important role in addressing Iran's nuclear program.

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WNU Editor: WNU covered these points from General Votel last week. But this is a good summary on what he said.

Hat tip to Fred for the above link.

U.S. Central Command General: US Military Is Using The Same Strategy That Defeated ISIS To Attack The Taliban

U.S. Army General Joseph Votel, commander of the U.S. Central Command, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 13, 2018. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein

Stars and Stripes: US military uses strategy from ISIS fight to attack Taliban

The U.S. military is ratcheting up its attack on Taliban funding streams in Afghanistan, where troops are using a strategy that paid dividends in the battle against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, the general in charge of U.S. Central Command said Tuesday.

“This is a lesson learned from Iraq and Syria, where we got serious about going after the funding streams that supported ISIS,” Army Gen. Joseph Votel said during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. “We started to see an immediate impact, so that is exactly the intention here.”

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Update: U.S. CENTCOM: Taliban Is a Narco-Terror Group, ‘Not a Popular Insurgency’ (CNS)

WNU Editor: The Afghan Taliban and Afghanistan is not ISIS and Syria/Iraq.

More News On U.S. General Votel's Testimony Today Before The US. Senate Armed Services Committee On Capitol Hill

Top U.S. general: Fair to say Assad "won" Syrian civil war -- Axios
Defeat of ISIS ‘Within Our Grasp,’ Centcom Commander Says -- US Department of Defense
In Syria, Russia and Iran complicate ISIS fight for US -- Stars and Stripes
Votel warns of Russian influence in Middle East -- Inside Defense
US trying to improve Syrian detention of foreign fighters -- FOX News/AP
Pentagon braces for emboldened Iran after Syria gains -- Al-Monitor
U.S. general signals support for Iran nuclear deal -- Reuters
General Argues to Continue Refueling Saudi Planes in Yemen Fight -- Military.com
General counters senators, says US needs to support war in Yemen -- Washington Examiner
Senators Quiz Military Leaders on US Forces in Syria after ISIS -- USNI News
China improving its military posture and force projection, says US Commander General Joseph Votel -- Financial Express

CENTCOM General: 'Moscow Plays Both Arsonist And Firefighter' In Syria

General Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, delivers remarks at the National Council on at 26th Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference in Washington, U.S., October 18, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

Washington Examiner: Top Middle East general: In Syria, 'Moscow plays both arsonist and firefighter'

The top U.S. general in charge of the fight against the Islamic State told Congress Tuesday that Russian influence in Syria has “added complexity” and “progress at risk” in the effort to finish off the remaining ISIS fighters.

“Diplomatically and militarily, Moscow plays both arsonist and firefighter, fueling tensions among all parties in Syria — the Syrian regime, Iran, Turkey, the Syrian Democratic Forces, the United States and other coalition partners — then serving as an arbiter to resolve disputes,” Gen. Joseph Votel, the head of the U.S. Central Command, said in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee.

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More News On Today's Testimony From CENTCOM Commander General Votel

Russia has 'incredibly destabilizing' role in Syria: US general -- AFP
US general: Russia is both ‘arsonist and fireman’ in Syria -- AP
Russia 'both arsonist and firefighter' in Syria: U.S. general -- Reuters
Russia acting as 'both arsonist and firefighter' in Syria, US general says -- Daily Sabah
Top general: Countering Iran in Syria not a US military mission -- The Hill
US General: Iran achieved in 5 years in Yemen what took two decades in Lebanon -- The National
U.S. Says Seeing 'Positive Indicators' From Pakistan on Militants -- US News and World Report/Reuters

U.S. Central Command General Joseph Votel: The Military Defeat Of ISIS Can Now Be Measured In Weeks

JUST IN: “The timeline for the military defeat of ISIS can now be measured in weeks.” - @CENTCOM’s Gen. Votel says in speech to Jordan’s National Defense School, happening now.

— Kevin Baron (@DefenseBaron) January 29, 2018

FOX News: Military defeat of ISIS can be 'measured in weeks,' top US general says

The military defeat of ISIS could be just 'weeks' away, a top U.S. military official said Monday -- a stunning development given the terror group once boasted the infrastructure to control an expanse of territory in Syria and Iraq where 10 million people lived.

U.S. Central Command General Joseph Votel made the comment during a speech to Jordan’s National Defense School on Monday, according to a tweet posted by Defense One.

“The timeline for the military defeat of ISIS can now be measured in weeks,” Votel said, though he cautioned there is still “very tough fighting” going on in the Middle Euphrates River Valley.

As Fox News reported, the terrorist group has lost 98 percent of the land it once held -- with half of ISIS' so-called “caliphate” having been recaptured since President Trump took office.

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WNU Editor: He is crediting the change in the rules of engagement last year for the quick military defeat of ISIS.

Is CENTCOM Commander General Votel Undermining President Trump's Pakistan Policy?

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa in a meeting with U.S. Commander General Joseph L Votel has reiterated support to an Afghan-led peace process and reconciliation process but insisted that the blame game should be ended. In a meeting with Commander United States Central Command (US CENTCOM), General Joseph L Votel, at the General Headquarters on Monday, the COAS said that Islamabad has played a vital role for peace in region, reports the Daily Times.

Long War Journal: Pakistan pits CENTCOM commander against Trump administration

In a conversation with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, the Pakistani military claimed CENTCOM commander General Joseph Votel said the idea that the Taliban uses Pakistan as a safe haven is “undermining … Pakistan’s contributions in war against terrorism” in Washington. Pakistan’s characterization of the conversation would seemingly pit General Votel directly against the Trump administration, which has decided to take a hard line against Pakistan for its ongoing support of jihadists in Afghanistan.

CENTCOM declined to comment to FDD’s Long War Journal on Pakistan’s view of Votel’s conversation but said it remains “in continuous communication with the Pakistan military.”

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WNU Editor: If what the Pakistanis are saying is true, CENTCOM Commander General Votel has a lot of explaining to do when he gets back to the U.S..

CENTCOM U.S. General: Iran is A 'Destabilizing' Force. Military Action May Be Necessary

CNBC: General calls Iran 'destabilizing' force, suggests US 'disrupt' regime by military means

The nation's top military official in the Middle East on Wednesday said Iran is one of the greatest threats to the U.S. today and has increased its "destabilizing role" in the region.

"I believe that Iran is operating in what I call a gray zone," Commander of the U.S. Central Command, Army Gen. Joseph Votel, told the House Armed Services Committee in testimony Wednesday. "And it's an area between normal competition between states — and it's just short of open conflict."

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More News On CENTCON Gen. Joseph Votel's Remarks On Iran

Iran Is the 'Greatest Long-Term Threat to Stability,' Army General Warns -- Newsweek
Army General Votel: U.S. Needs to Examine Ways to 'Disrupt' Iran Through Military -- The Street
US should use ‘military means’ against Iran: CENTCOM chief -- Press TV
US General Says Iran Poses “Most Significant Threat”, Calls for Military Action -- Al Manar

CENTCOM General: India, Pakistan War Could Lead Tto A Nuclear Exchange

India Post: India, Pak conflict could lead to nuclear exchange: US Gen

WASHINGTON: A conventional Indo-Pak conflict could escalate into a nuclear exchange as attacks by Pakistan-based terrorists and potential reactions by India increase the likelihood for “miscalculation”, a top US general has warned.

Testifying before the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen Joseph Votel, Commander of the US Central Command or CENTCOM, said there is a continued tension between Pakistan and India.

“India remains concerned about the lack of action against India-focused militants based in Pakistan and even responded militarily to terrorist attacks in India-held territory earlier this year,” Votel told American Senators yesterday.

“We assess that these types of attacks, and the potential reactions, increase the likelihood for miscalculation by both the countries,” he said.

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WNU Editor: These comments were made at yesterday's US Senate hearings that included Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, and Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa. The entire testimony at this Senate hearing can be seen in the above video.

Probe On SEAL Yemen Raid Over. CENTCOM General Takes Responsibility For Yemen Raid

General Joseph Votel, commander of US Central Command visited northern Syria on 21 MayREUTERS/Yuri Gripas

The Hill: Centcom commander: I take responsibility for Yemen raid

The commander of U.S. Central Command (Centcom) took responsibility Thursday for the controversial raid in Yemen that left one Navy SEAL dead and said the military has concluded somewhere between four and 12 civilians were killed in the operation.

“I am responsible for this mission,” Gen. Joseph Votel told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “I am the Centcom commander, and I am responsible for what’s done in my region and what’s not done in my region. So I accept responsibly for this.”

Asked by The Hill after the hearing whether President Trump should be taking responsibility for the raid as commander in chief, Votel reiterated his role as Centcom commander.

“I think that might be — that’s — that — this was a military operation, and I’m responsible for military operations in this region, so I’m taking my responsibility,” he said.

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More News On U.S. Central Command (Centcom) General Votel Remarks On The US SEAL Yemen Raid

Top General: I'm Responsible for Fatal Yemen Raid -- US News And World Report
General says no bad decisions in Yemen raid, probe is over (AP)
No bad judgment calls in Yemen raid, top US Middle East commander says -- The Guardian
U.S. General: Yemen Raid Yielded 'Valuable Info,' Killed 4 to 12 Civilians -- NBC News
Women and Children in Yemeni Village Recall Horror of Trump’s “Highly Successful” SEAL Raid -- The Intercept

Top U.S. CENTCOM General: More U.S. Forces Are Needed In Afghanistan

U.S. Army General Joseph Votel, commander, U.S. Central Command, briefs the media at the Pentagon in Washington, U.S. April 29, 2016 . REUTERS/YURI GRIPAS

The Hill: Top general expects more US troops will be sent to Afghanistan

The general in charge of U.S. Central Command said Thursday that he anticipates more U.S. forces being sent to Afghanistan to break what he and others say is a stalemate in the more-than-15-year-old war there.

“We are developing a strategy, and we are in discussions with the secretary and the department right now,” Gen. Joseph Votel told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “I do believe it will involve additional forces to ensure that we can make the advise-and-assist mission more effective.”

Votel’s comments come about a month after the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Nicholson, told the committee he has a “shortfall of a few thousand” troops in the mission.

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Update #1: Top U.S. General: Send More Troops to Afghanistan (US News and World Report)
Update #2: US New Strategy in Afghanistan Requires Additional Troops -- CENTCOM Head (Sputnik)

WNU Editor:  Gen. Joseph Votel is saying that they are developing a strategy .... so after 16 years of war they are on the verge of figuring out how to defeat militarily the Taliban? LOL! Why am I sceptical.

Top U.S. Commander In The Middle East Warns Iran Of Aggressive Behavior

The Hill: US general warns Iran the US Navy will protect itself in the Arabian Gulf

The top U.S. commander in the Middle East warned Iran that the U.S. will protect itself following a string of recent incidents in which the Iranian navy harassed U.S. ships in the Arabian Gulf.

"I think the big concern here is miscalculation, that I'm very confident in the measures that our maritime forces are taking. They are measured. They are deliberate in the things that they are doing, but ultimately we are going to protect ourselves if that comes to a situation," said Army Gen. Joseph Votel at a press briefing on Tuesday.

"Because ultimately we will prevail here and I'm very, very confident of that and we certainly don't want that to come to pass," he added.

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More News On The Top U.S. Commander In The Middle East Warning Iran That US Navy Ships Will Defend Themselves

Votel warns Iran against provoking US Navy in Persian Gulf -- Stars and Stripes
U.S. Commander Denounces 'Provocative' Iranian Guard Maneuvers -- RFE
US Upbraids Iran for 'Provocative' Naval Maneuvers in Persian Gulf -- VOA
U.S. general on naval confrontations with Iran: ‘The big concern here is miscalculation’ -- Washington Post
US commander: Iran behavior unchanged since nuke deal, high seas harassment 'unsafe' -- FOX News
CentCom Warns Iran of Aggressive Behavior -- Scout

Nominee To Head U.S. Central Command Wants To Review The Afghan Draw-down Plan

U.S. Army General Joseph Votel testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Votel’s nomination to be commander of the U.S. Central Command on Capitol Hill in Washington March 9, 2016. REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE

Washington Post: Central Command nominee may push for additional revisions to Afghanistan exit

President Obama’s nominee to head U.S. Central Command said on Wednesday he would recommend extending the U.S. mission in Afghanistan if local forces don’t improve their record against the Taliban and other militants.

Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, who currently heads U.S. Special Operations Command, said during his confirmation hearing that the U.S. military may not be able to provide needed support to Afghan forces under a White House plan to halve the U.S. military footprint of 9,800 troops by the time Obama steps down next January.

“If [Afghan forces] demonstrate uneven performance similar to the 2015 fighting season, and continue to struggle with their sustainment systems, it will be difficult to address those challenges” under the current plan to downsize the U.S. mission, Votel said in remarks submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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Update #1: US commander wants administration review of Afghan drawdown plan. (The Hill)
Update #2: US Special Ops Commander Says Afghanistan Withdrawal Should Be Based On Conditions, Not Timelines (Daily Caller)

WNU Editor: It looks like U.S. forces in Afghanistan are not going to leave at any-time in the near future .... as predicted.

U.S Special Operations Commander Demands That The Pentagon And The White House Stop Disclosing Mission Details

Commanding General of U.S. Special Operations Command Gen. Joseph Votel. Army.mil

Washington Free Beacon: Special Ops Commander Demands Pentagon Stop Exposing Operations

Gen. Joseph Votel: Publicity makes it harder for forces to do their jobs.

President Obama’s nominee to head U.S. Central Command recently penned a memo to Defense Secretary Ash Carter demanding that the Pentagon stop discussing the operations of elite American troops.

Foreign Policy, which obtained an excerpt of the memo, reported that Gen. Joseph Votel, currently the chief of U.S. Special Operations Command, wrote the December 8 memo to express concern about the Obama administration’s exposure of special operations forces’ activities.

“I am concerned with increased public exposure of SOF activities and operations, and I assess that it is time to get our forces back into the shadows,” Votel wrote to Carter.

While it remains unclear to what public comments Votel was referring, the memo was sent just days after the White House revealed that it was sending approximately 200 special operations forces to Iraq to combat ISIS.

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Update: Special Ops cmdr. demands White House stop disclosing mission details (Washington Times)

WNU Editor: I expect the Pentagon will listen ... but will the White House? I have my doubts.