Gen John Allen, Out of Afghanistan, Reportedly Out as Nominee for NATO Command
May have sought to avoid questions about Jill Kelley and the Petraeus affair
Not a rudderless mission, not civilian casualties, but David Petraeus' affair with Paula Broadwell, his biographer, is what's ending General John Allen's prospects for NATO command according to reporting by Fox News. Allen, who stepped down as NATO's top man in Afghanistan Sunday, has reportedly withdrawn his nomination as NATO's Supreme Commander in Europe. Via Fox News:
White House officials forced him to step aside, a source familiar with the discussions told Fox News on Wednesday.
The source told Fox that Allen was leery of getting into a confirmation battle that would dig into the embarrassing issue of his emails with Tampa socialite Jill Kelley, but the real reason was the White House power play.
"He's out," the source said. "I know he is retiring. He was pushed out of the door."
Fox notes the White House is still confident about Chuck Hagel's confirmation as Defense Secretary. This even as some Republican senators will be attempting a filibuster. Meanwhile, the vote to confirm John Brennan as the next CIA Director (a vacancy created by Petraeus November 2012 resignation) has been delayed to the end of the month.