Report: Petraeus Coming To CIA, Panetta To Pentagon

The AP is reporting that General David Petraeus, the current U.S. commander in Afghanistan, will be assuming the head position at the CIA from current director Leon Panetta, who in turn is expected to take the reins at the Pentagon as Defense Secretary.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters Wednesday morning that a “personnel announcement” will come Thursday, but declined to give any additional information.

The shakeup comes at amid an evolving national security landscape. The U.S. is scheduled to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan this July at a level based on Petraeus’ recommendations and ongoing unrest across the Arab world has been a key focus of both the intelligence and defense community.

Panetta has served as CIA Director since the beginning of the Obama administration. He will be taking over from current Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who had previously indicated that he would leave his post at some point in 2011.

Petraeus was the head of Central Command until he was tapped to take over from former Afghanistan commander General Stanley McChrystal, who was dismissed from his post last June.

The AP also reports that former Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker will be announced as the new ambassador to Afghanistan and Lt. General John Allen will take over Petraeus’ command.