Originally posted by badmoonCivilian control of the military makes perfect sense, both in terms of the nature of the body politic and rule of law, and in terms of symbolism. I can't see what's wrong with a professional senior soldier - who is no longer serving in the military - being put in charge of the CIA. Obviously there's a lot of skill set overlap. Makes plenty of sense.
It all makes no sense. Why put a military man in charge of the CIA and a civilian as sec of defense? Takling about Patreus and Pinetta.
Originally posted by FMFThey should swap positions. One way that what happened could make sense is if Obama is seriously thinking of cutting the defense budget. A civilian would be allowed more freedom, in that there isn't prior vested interest, in making the cuts.
Civilian control of the military makes perfect sense, both in terms of the nature of the body politic and rule of law, and in terms of symbolism. I can't see what's wrong with a professional senior soldier - who is no longer serving in the military - being put in charge of the CIA. Obviously there's a lot of skill set overlap. Makes plenty of sense.