In response to:
First, we should understand that all generals (certainly at the 3-4 star level) are political. There is no such thing as the apolitical general except in fiction. So their coming-and-going always must be looked at from a political as well as professional aspect. Don't know about Allen but Petraeus has had many detractors, inside and out, both over what is seen as his politicking as well as professional dislike (if not distain) for the COIN doctrine and strategy with which he is closely identified. Kind of surprised to see "making us fight with arms tied behind our back" townhallers supporting him now.
Everyone is preoccupied with the events surrounding the juicy sex scandal involving now-former CIA Director David Petraeus to the point they may not have noticed a pattern -- a shake-down -- that is taking place in our military top brass, much like the one currently happening in Russia under President Vladimir Putin.
Curiously, the shake-down here in the U.S. began just after the September 11 terrorist attacks in Benghazi, begging the question: Who benefits when great military leaders like Petraeus fall?
According to ABC News on October 27, "In an unusual move" the Navy replaced Rear Adm. Charles...
I had the distinct pleasure of working for a month on a staff that supported him in Iraq. I was just a field grade officer filling in for a Division liaison to the Corps HQ in Iraq when he was the Forces Commander but i sat in a briefing he got every morning.
He was brilliant and his COIN was the right way to go.