Top Brass reshuffle ...

"...Petraeus, who stepped into the post last summer after President Barack Obama fired Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal for comments his aides made to Rolling Stone magazine, is likely to be succeeded by Deputy CENTCOM commander, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Allen,... "Few people in the military understand the on-the-ground inherently political nature of irregular war[counterinsurgency] as well as Allen," the official said. "He also understands Washington and the interagency. He is exactly the right guy."

Where will Petraeus go? Military analysts who have worked with the commander say he has long been interested in commanding U.S. forces in Europe--the Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, SACEUR--a post currently held by Adm. John Stavridis... Another military analyst who has recently interacted with Petraeus in Afghanistan said Petraeus is worn out, and still recovering from prostate cancer....

(Although some national security hands have heard a "bizarre" rumor that Petraeus might be tapped for CIA director if--as many expect--CIA Director Leon Panetta is nominated to succeed Defense Secretary Robert Gates, defense analysts close to the commander say they can't imagine it. Petraeus "has spent his whole career caring about the military as an institution," one source said. He doesn't have that relationship with the civilian intelligence agency.)

A spokesman for Petraeus did not respond to queries on the general's plans.

Meantime, SACEUR Stavridis is said to be a contender, along with the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James Cartwright, to succeed Adm. Mike Mullen as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when Mullen retires at the end of the year. Cartwright--who represents the uniformed military at the all-important White House deputies committee meetings — is said to be an Obama favorite. He was recently exonerated from allegations of an improper relationship with a female aide. Stavridis, currently commanding NATO operations in Libya, is also very highly regarded as a rising star and terrific manager."