Shuffling Deckchairs...

Abu Muqawama was in the airport yesterday and ran into ace defense correspondent Tom Ricks, who was on his way to do some reporting from Iraq. Abu Muqawama tried not to be condescending, but Iraq? Is it even dangerous there anymore? If Ricks really wanted some danger and excitement, he should have followed Abu Muqawama back to his charming neighborhood in East London, which is like Baghdad in many ways but has more violent Islamists. And better Pakistani food.

Ricks has an article in today's Washington Post, though, on the speculation surrounding where David Petraeus is headed next after his tour in Iraq is complete. Abu Muqawama asked Ricks about the story as reported in the Times yesterday -- because Abu Muqawama makes it a regular habit to accost people in airports who have better things to do with their time than talk to some smartass blogger -- and he stressed the very thing with which he ended his article:

...early speculation over such top-level shifts often proves inaccurate. In the months before Petraeus was sent to Iraq, the rumor was that he would be put in charge at Central Command. Instead, that job went to Fallon. Also, not long before stepping down as defense secretary, Donald H. Rumsfeld appeared close to sending Petraeus to Afghanistan, according to a person familiar with the deliberations.

So, you know, everybody stay cool.

Update: Well, if AM thinks Charlie is jumping the gun, he's gonna find Intrepid Spencer f*cking certifiable. Read his brilliant (if unfounded) speculation on a possible 2012 Petraeus for President campaign. (Machiavellian Democrats, take note.)