Talk on Transition – US that is…

John Bennett of Defense News (subscription required) has reported “on DC talk” that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) John Young, and Assistant Secretary of Defense (Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict & Interdependent Capabilities) Michael Vickers may survive the transition from the Bush to a McCain or Obama administration.

“The next president will inherit the most daunting security environment” an incoming commander in chief has ever been handed, said Michí¨le Flournoy, a former top Pentagon strategic planner in President Bill Clinton’s administration. “America has not had a grand strategy since the end of the Cold War.” Not since the Vietnam War have so many US troops been involved in shooting wars during a presidential transition.

Either Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., or Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., will inherit the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, plus a number of troubled weapon programs and other military challenges.

There is talk in Washington that the new president should consider keeping some Bush appointees on after he takes office, at least until his nominees are confirmed.

Good choices all – hopefully transition reality will turn this DC chatter into concrete action.