sonorakitch
Overseas hunter
Chris, glad to see you're on board with Panetta.../...You seem to be somewhat confused about the CIA's role.
Dude, if there is anybody on this board not confused with the CIA's role, it is me. And I think Panetta was a weak choice for his lack of foreign policy credentials. Sure, the Iraq Study Group is a nice blot on his resume, but the man is completely a manager. Being the head of the CIA spends 1/4 of his time overseas interacting with other heads of intelligence/state/whatever, I think a more prudent selection would have been a Sam Nunn or another Democrat with some experience abroad.
Panetta would have been a great Environmental Secretary, or maybe even Labor. But his previous experience on the international stage is really weak for a role which requires so much of it.
And really Miles, in many many ways the DCIA is indeed a diplomat. Check out Kessler's Inside the CIA for more information if you don't believe me.
~Chris