SECOND ACTS

David Petraeus: Next CIA Director?

Afghan commander said to step down this year.

The U.S.’s top military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, is in consideration to be the next CIA director, sources told NPR Monday. Reports, including some from within the government, indicated that Petraeus will take the job if offered. The commander is expected to leave his post in Afghanistan this fall, and current CIA chief Leon Panetta is the favorite to take over for Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who says he will also step down at the end of this year. Although Petraeus is considered by many to be the best general of his generation, he is not considered in the running to take over the top Pentagon job, Joint Chiefs of Staff—President Obama’s “favorite general” Marine Gen. James “Hoss” Cartwright will be nominated for the top job when Adm. Mike Mullen steps down in the fall, sources said. The White House and the Pentagon wouldn't comment on the personnel shuffling.