Joint Chiefs Cartwright not leaving post

Federal Drive

Joint Chiefs Cartwright not leaving post

Also, could the long-awaited $35 billion Air Force tanker contract be delayed again? and DoD on alert for next round of Wikileaks

Federal News Network Staff

August 13, 2010 8:40 am

2 min read

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Vice Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Gen. James Cartwright is not on his way out, contrary to rumors. A spokesman from the Joint Chiefs told Federal News Radio that Cartwright has about one more year left on his three year term and there are no changes to report or expected in the future. Federal News Radio reported yesterday on an incorrect rumor from DoDBuzz about potential changes.
Defense officials believe the next trove of classified Afghanistan war documents to be posted on WikiLeaks could be even more damaging than the first group. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the posting of additional documents puts in danger the lives of Afghans helping U.S. troops. Fearing arrest, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange spoke to a group in London using Skype, instead of showing up in person, according to the Wall Street Journal. He dyed and cut off most of his white hair. He said his group will absolutely post an additional 15,000 documents when it is done redacting them for names. Army intelligence analyst Bradley Manning is under suspicion as a possible source of the leak.
Even before word of EADS leader Sean O’Keefe surviving the plane crash that killed former Senator Ted Stevens, industry analysts were saying the Air Force tanker deal may not be awarded on time. A Morgan Stanley aerospace analyst wrote that she expects the November deadline to slip to a 2011 decision, and the Wichita Eagle reports awarding the $35 billion contract could be pushed all the way into 2012. Hear more analysis about the potential delay at at 7:40, when Richard Aboulafia joins the Federal Drive.

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