The Washington Post reports that the White House is casting about for a “high-powered czar” who would have authority over both military and civilian operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Only problem is, no one wants the job:
The White House wants to appoint a high-powered czar to oversee the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with authority to issue directions to the Pentagon, the State Department and other agencies,” write Peter Baker and Thomas E. Ricks for the Post, “but it has had trouble finding anyone able and willing to take the job, according to people close to the situation.
At least three retired generals were approached by the administration, but passed on the offer. The cold shoulders underscore the White House’s
“difficulty in enlisting its top recruits to join the team after five years of warfare that have taxed the United States and its military” Baker and Ricks write.
Retired Marine Gen. John J. Sheehan, a former top NATO commander who was among those rejecting the job, put it bluntly to say the least.
“The very fundamental issue is, they don’t know where the hell they’re going,”
“So rather than go over there, develop an ulcer and eventually leave, I said, ‘No, thanks,’
The other two considered were Army Gen. Jack Keane and retired Air Force Gen. Joseph W. Ralston.
Now get this. Keane doesn’t want the job, and yet the surge was his brainchild in the first place. That’s quite a vote of confidence.