Army Gen. David H. Petraeus plans to hang up his uniform in September to lead the Central Intelligence Agency.
President Barack Obama announced his intention today to nominate Petraeus to succeed Leon E. Panetta as CIA director. Panetta is the president’s choice to succeed retiring Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates.
“As a lifelong consumer of intelligence, he knows that intelligence must be timely, accurate and acted upon quickly,” Obama said. “He understands that staying a step ahead of nimble adversaries requires sharing and coordinating information, including with my director of national intelligence, Jim Clapper.”
Obama said he values Petraeus’ flexibility and adaptability.
“Just as General Petraeus changed the way that our military fights and wins wars in the 21st century, I have no doubt that Director Petraeus will guide our intelligence professionals as they continue to adapt and innovate in an ever-changing world,” the president said.
Petraeus said he would be grateful to continue his public service by heading the CIA. His nomination is subject to Senate confirmation. The general, who assumed command in Afghanistan on July 4, 2010. after serving 20 months as commander of U.S. Central Command, announced his plans to retire to take the CIA position.
Petraeus’ retirement will end a four-decade career highlighted by his development of the Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Manual and his leadership of U.S. and coalition forces through the “surge” credited with turning around the war in Iraq.
He is a 1974 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, and he holds a doctorate from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
