Responsibility for the disaster of Iraq lies not only with the President of the United States, but also with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The president needs expert and candid military counsel. Not yes-men in uniform.
By Andrew J. Bacevich June 17, 2007
Washington was briefly abuzz last week with the news that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will not recommend the reappointment of General Peter Pace for a second two-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gates is instead nominating Admiral Michael Mullen for the post. The political classes reacted first with surprise and then with approval. The New York Times editorial page declared Mullen a "good choice." Senate confirmation seems assured.
A better idea might be to abolish the position of JCS chairman altogether -- and the entire JCS system along with it.
More at http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2007/06/17/joint_failure/
