The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East resigned Tuesday amid speculation about a rift over U.S. policy in Iran. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that Adm. William J. Fallon, whose area of responsibility includes Iraq, had asked for permission to retire and that Gates agreed.

Fallon was the subject of an article published last week in Esquire magazine that portrayed him as opposed to President Bush’s Iran policy. The article had a very nasty tone and described Fallon as a lone voice against taking military action to stop the Iranian nuclear program.

Obviously the Esquire magazine article was the final straw. Fallon has refused to be a team player from the beginning and has made inappropriate comments to the media on several occasions.

His job is to implement whatever policy President Bush (The Decider) determines is the right one. Offering your point of view to the President is fine, but running to the press and making statements counter to the President’s policy is outrageous. I’m actually surprised he wasn’t shown the door several months ago.

Fallon says he sensed growing anger at the White House after the Esquire article was published, and felt it was the right time to retire.

His resignation was applauded by Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“I support Secretary Gates’ decision to accept Adm. Fallon’s letter of resignation and request for retirement. I also respect the reasons for which Adm. Fallon submitted it and applaud his ability to recognize the responsibility before him,” Mullen said in a written statement.

Adm. Fallon is a patriot who served his country honorably for 41 years, but it’s just time for him to step aside. Unfortunately, I’m sure we’ll see Fallon appearing on a variety of left-wing talk shows and in print criticizing the President and his policies in the very near future.

-Chris Jones