Breaking News Admiral William “Fox” Fallon Resigns

	Admiral William “Fox” Fallon Resigns
	(Read our summary of the Esquire article on Admiral William Fallon.)
	Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Defense. WASHINGTON, March 11, 2008 Navy Adm. William Fallon announced his decision to retire as commander of U.S. Central Command effective March 31.   Navy Adm. William “Fox” Fallon was often the lone voice pushing back against the Bush administration constant drumbeat for war with Iran. With the retirement of Adm. Fallon, the Bush administration will be free to appoint a commander open to war with Iran. Vice President Dick Cheney and other neocons now have the green light for war with Iran.   Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen denied Fallons retirement as a change in U.S. policy toward Iran.   In my view, this should not be seen as a sign, at all, towards any kind of conflict with Iran, Mullen said.   Navy Adm. William Fallon’s statement: Recent press reports suggesting a disconnect between my views and the President’s policy objectives have become a distraction at a critical time and hamper efforts in the CENTCOM region. And although I don’t believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command Area of Responsibility, the simple perception that there is makes it difficult for me to effectively serve America’s interests there.
	Map of Central Command’s Region Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (interactive map).
	Brief Biography of Admiral William “Fox” Fallon: Forty-years military career (1967 to 2007), 1967 Villanova University graduate where he was in their Navy ROTC Program, Designated a naval flight officer upon completion of flight training in December 1967, Admiral Fallon four four-star assignments include: Vice Chief of Naval Operations (October 2000 to August 2003) Commander U.S. Atlantic Fleet (October 2003 to February 2005) Commander U.S. Pacific Command (February 2005 to March 2007) Commander U.S. Central Command (March 16, 2007 to current)
	Source Links: U.S. Department of Defense Biography for Admiral William “Fox” Fallon  Statement by the President Bush on Admiral William “Fox” Fallon  Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen on Admiral William “Fox” Fallon  Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Accepts Resignation of CENTCOM Chief Admiral William “Fox” Fallon
	News Links: Associated Press Wire Service Fallon Resigns As Mideast Military Chief
		WASHINGTON (AP) The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East resigned Tuesday amid speculation about a rift over U.S. policy in Iran. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that Adm. William J. Fallon, whose area of responsibility includes Iraq, had asked for permission to retire and that Gates agreed.
	The Christian Science Monitor U.S. COMMANDER FOR MIDDLE EAST RESIGNS
		WASHINGTON – The US military commander in charge of the Middle East has stepped down after his stance on preventing a war with Iran became a distraction at a critical time.
	Reuters Wire Service Top US Mideast commander quits after Iran story
		WASHINGTON, March 11 (Reuters) – Adm. William Fallon, the top U.S. commander for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, will retire because of misperceptions he disagrees with the Bush administration on Iran, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday.
	Navy Times Fallon quits as CentCom chief, will retire
		An embattled Adm. William Fox Fallon has asked to step down as chief of U.S. Central Command and to retire from the Navy, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Tuesday afternoon that he has accepted that request.
	Voice of America US Middle East Commander to Retire
		The senior U.S. military officer responsible managing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and U.S. military engagement throughout the Middle East, Central Asia and East Africa, has decided to retire this month after a magazine article said he opposed administration policy toward Iran. VOA’s Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.