Context
This week, President Barack Obama is due to announce long-awaited changes to his national security team, including a new ambassador for Afghanistan, said administration officials aware of internal discussions. The officials, who requested to stay anonymous, also revealed that up to four high-ranking appointments could be made as early as Thursday, a change of the guard which would perhaps involve the nomination of a replacement for Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. A White House spokesperson refused to talk about what according to him were “personal’ issues. Senior congregational officials say that the administration hasn’t notified national-security- related departments of any final decisions. However, General Petraeus is expected to be named the head of CIA, while Leon Panetta is likely to take over the Defense Department. Veteran diplomat Ryan C. Crocker is anticipated to be the new ambassador to Afghanistan.