Petraeus GS ’87 nominated for CIA post

President Barack Obama nominated General David Petraeus GS ’87 to serve as director of the CIA on April 28, two weeks after a White House leak noted that the nomination would be forthcoming.

Petraeus, who was nominated to his current position as commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan by Obama last June, will replace current CIA Director Leon Panetta if confirmed.

Panetta will, in turn, succeed Robert Gates as defense secretary after Gates’ retirement on June 30.

Obama also nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Allen to take over Petraeus’ post as commander of the International Security Assistance Force and Ryan Crocker as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.

Each of the appointments is contingent on confirmations by the Senate. If approved, these personnel changes would be the largest reshuffling of Obama’s security team since he took office.

Obama asked the Senate to confirm his nominations with urgency, as the nation is entering a pivotal period for foreign policy.

“I felt that it was absolutely critical that we had this team in place, so that we can stay focused on our missions, maintain our momentum and keep our nation secure,” Obama said in a statement.

He added that he could not think of a better-suited group to lead the national security team.

NATO welcomed Petraeus’ nomination, saying that it will continue to follow his strategy of transitioning to local control in Afghanistan. As commander in Afghanistan, Petraeus has championed the expansion of counterinsurgency efforts.

NATO “has seen many successes under [Petraeus’] command,” Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a statement.

While Petraeus’ nomination is expected to be approved by the Senate, some critics have wondered how he will adjust to his resulting retirement from the Army and his new role as an objective adviser to Obama. Petraeus will now have to make recommendations on the same counterinsurgency strategies and policies he helped create as U.S. commander.

Petraeus’ new role may also strain already-tense relations with Pakistan, some have said. As chief of the CIA, Petraeus is expected to demand an end to Pakistani ties with anti-Western insurgents, many of whom have attacked American troops in Afghanistan.

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In addition to drawing upon his military experiences in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Petraeus will face new challenges in the form of cybersecurity threats, North Korean and Iranian nuclear programs and drug cartels in Latin America.

Pending Senate confirmation, Petraeus will return to civilian life and assume the position in September. Before taking up his current position as ISAF commander on July 4, he served over 20 months as the commander of the U.S. Central Command.

Petraeus holds an MPA and a Ph.D. in international relations from the Wilson School and delivered the Baccalaureate address at the University in 2009.

Petraeus could not be reached for comment.