Gen. John Allen

(Newser) - The big security shakeups are out, by way of unidentified AP sources, and as predicted , Leon Panetta is in as the new secretary of defense, succeeding Robert Gates. Gen. David Petraeus will be nominated to fill Panetta's shoes as CIA director. Five-time ambassador Ryan Crocker, who retired in 2009...

(Newser) - David Petraeus's stint as commander in Afghanistan is set to end by early fall, and his next stop just might be Langley. Government officials tell NPR that Petraeus is being seriously considered as the next head of the CIA, and that he’d accept the position if offered. Current CIA...

(Newser) - With Gen. Stanley McChrystal looking like a goner, attention has turned to the Afghanistan commander's possible replacements. Marine Gen. James Mattis and Marine Lt. Gen. John Allen appear to be frontrunners, though Thomas Ricks notes in Foreign Policy that Mattis, ironically, "has a reputation... for speaking a little too...