by Aamer Madhani

Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, has been tapped to become the next U.S. Central Command chief.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates made the announcement at the Pentagon that Petraeus, who has been given much of the credit for the dramatic drop in violence in Iraq, would succeed Adm. William Fallon as the top commander in the Middle East and will oversee both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The position is based in Tampa, Fla.

"I recommended him to the president because I am absolutely confident he's the best man for the job," Gates said. "The kinds of conflicts that we're doing, not just in Iraq but in Afghanistan, and some of the challenges that we face elsewhere, in the region and in the Central Command area, are very much characterized by asymmetric warfare. And I don't know anybody in the United States military better qualified to lead that effort."

Fallon abruptly resigned last month after 41 years of military service. Fallon's views on Iran and the region in general have sometimes conflicted with the Bush administration's outlook. In a profile of Fallon published in Esquire magazine earlier this year, Fallon was portrayed as the one man standing in the way of President Bush going to war with Iran.

In announcing his resignation, Fallon said the perception that he was out of step with Bush had become a distraction.

There has been much speculation that Petraeus, who has taken a harder stance on Iran, would be picked to take the slot, but that he wouldn't receive the appointment until next year. By picking Petraeus now, the Bush administration assures that Petraeus will remain in a central position in the next administration.

"I am honored to be nominated for this position and to have an opportunity to continue to serve with America's Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coastguardsmen, and Civilians," Petraeus said in a statement.

Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno will be promoted into Petraeus' slot. Odierno, who has only been back about two months from his latest Iraq tour, was awaiting Senate confirmation to become the Army's vice chief of staff, but Gates said that nomination will be withdrawn, so Odierno can be nominated to take Petraeus' place in Iraq.

Odierno has also had harsh words for Iran, saying that the Iranians are playing an unhelpful role inside Iraq. Upon returning from his recent tour, Odierno told reporters that Iranian influence remains "what I worry about most."

Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, who many at the Pentagon expected to be picked to be the next top commander in Iraq, will be nominated to take over the reins as the Army's vice chief of staff.

Petraeus with Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, told Congress earlier this month that Iraqi security is improved but the situation remains "fragile and reversible."

The U.S. military is in the midst of reducing troop levels by five combat brigades. The last of the five brigades to return from Iraq without replacements are expected to come home in July.

Petraeus recommended a 45-day pause in troop reductions before U.S. officials review once again whether there should be a further draw down.

"This process will be continuous, with recommendations for further reductions made as conditions permit," Petraeus told Congress. "This approach does not allow establishment of a set withdrawal timetable. However, it does provide the flexibility those of us on the ground need to preserve the still-fragile security gains our troops have fought so hard and sacrificed so much to achieve."

Gates said that Petraeus was expected to remain in Iraq until at least late summer, and would oversee the initial review after the 45-day pause.

Gates also went out of his way to commend Odierno for his willingness to head back to Iraq, so soon after returning from the war zone.