Army General Nominated to Replace Franks

Newsday ^ | 6/18/03

[areafiftyone]

WASHINGTON --

An Arabic-speaking Army general of Lebanese descent has been nominated to replace Gen. Tommy Franks as head of U.S. Central Command, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

The nomination of Lt. Gen. John Abizaid, currently second-in-command under Franks, was widely expected since Franks announced last month he would retire this summer. Abizaid must be confirmed by the Senate before taking the reins at Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations from the Horn of Africa to Central Asia, including Iraq and a large swath of the Middle East.

Abizaid, a grandson of Lebanese immigrants, speaks fluent Arabic, which he studied at a university in Jordan. He also holds a master's degree in Middle East studies from Harvard and has said he loves the region's people and culture.

Abizaid referred to that background during a news conference at the height of combat in Iraq.

[kayak]

bttt

[DannyTN]

"You begin with the fact that he's a great soldier," retired Army Gen. Bill Nash said about Abizaid in March. "And then you add to that the fact that he is savvy to the world of political military affairs. "

Well it sounds like he has great references. If Franks trusted him, I think I trust him too. He sounds like the right guy for the times. But speaking fluid Arabic just cries out for somebody to check and verify that he is not a closet Muslim!

[conservativefromGa]

PC

[Semper Paratus]

Speaking Arabic means cutting down the time it takes to dictate surrender terms

[adam_az]

...and has said he loves the region's people and culture.

Whatever floats your boat, buddy...

[MEG33]

Didn't he give some of the centcom briefings?If he is who I think he is ,he is to be commended for not firing rounds at reporters!Sharp.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"But speaking fluid Arabic just cries out for somebody to check and verify that he is not a closet Muslim!"

There are lots of Lebanese (Arabs) who are Christian.

[nfldgirl]

Didn't he give some of the centcom briefings?If he is who I think he is ,he is to be commended for not firing rounds at reporters!Sharp.

Yes, that's the same General. Very sharp! (Oh...and, given that he speaks fluent arabic, I "second-motion" the suggestion that somebody check and verify that he's not a closet muslim!!!)

[areafiftyone]

[onedoug]

He was Commandant Of Cadets at West Point a few years ago.

[MEG33]

Many Lebanese who left Lebanon were Christians.I met a wonderful family who left in the 80s.

[mark502inf]

So what if he were a Muslim? He has made it to Lieutenant General in the United States Army, to include serving as Director of the Joint Staff in Washington and Deputy to General Franks for Operation Iraqi Freedom. If he had a loyalty problem, it would have shown up long ago. Having said that, the answer is: he's Catholic.

[Emma]

something like 2/3 of arab americans are christians -- most due to the immigration dynamics you describe.

[MEG33]

My friends left a beautiful home and life to escape the Terror.They had "connections" and had a great job and another great life here.Their hospitality knocked me for a loop! I've had many a tasty treat that introduced me to their cuisine.

[Prodigal Son]

I just got through with a book called Resurrection Day by a fellow named Glenn Meade. It was pretty good- I'd give it a good recommend.

Anyway, the book was actually written just before 9/11 and is about a big terrorist plot by al Qaeda to dentonate a nerve gas bomb in Washington DC. It's creepy reading it, knowing that it was before 9/11 when he thought it up. The President is a former governor of Texas. Al Qaeda is led by a someone of different name than bin Laden but it's obvious it's the same guy. There are cabinet members similar to the present ones a corresponding Putin character etc. It's quite thrilling.

At any rate, one of the characters is an American General who speaks fluent Arabic and was educated in the Middle East and who loves the culture and people.

This author had some sort of precognition thing going on. If any Freepers are interested, I'd definitely say it's worth a read. It's not Tom Clancy, but it's still very thrilling and chilling at the same time when you realize how easy it would be for terrorists to get their hands on nerve agent.

Just an odd coincidence- that's all. I think speaking Arabic would definitely give the general an advantage.

[gov_bean_ counter]

I knew a Lebanese funeral home owner in W. Tennessee who was Christian. His introductory line was always "I will be the last person in town who will ever let you down".

[rogator]

My understanding is that he is a Maronite Christian.

[GretchenEE]

That book sounds very interesting.

[Prodigal Son]

It was. I took it on holiday to Spain with me and sat up several nights reading it. Like I say, it's not quite Tom Clancy but it's good none the less and I'm glad I read it.