Petraeus will become the new chief of U.S. Central Command , in charge of American forces in the Middle East and Afghanistan . Defense Secretary Robert Gates says U.S. troops in midst of `` mission transition '' Gen. Ray Odierno taking over command in Iraq from Gen. David Petraeus . The Pentagon has been under fire for months about the pace and scope of its withdrawal from Iraq, with many lawmakers calling on President Barack Obama to send more troops.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates says U.S. troops in midst of `` mission transition '' Gen. Ray Odierno taking over command in Iraq from Gen. David Petraeus . The Pentagon has been under fire for months about the pace and scope of its withdrawal from Iraq, with many lawmakers calling on President Barack Obama to send more troops.