John Negroponte is leaving his job as national intelligence director to work under Condoleeza Rice, as deputy secretary of State. Associated Press reports that President Bush will nominate retired Vice Adm. Mike McConnell, with more than two decades in intelligence, to replace Negroponte. Meanwhile, at the Pentagon, the Washington Post reports that new Defense Secretary Robert Gates may tap retired Air Force Lt. Gen. James Clapper Jr. to fill the intelligence undersecretary post vacated by Stephen Cambone. Another long-time intel officer, Clapper last was head of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.