In the Middle East, Israel's top military officer, Lieutenant General Dan Halutz, suddenly resigned today.

NPR: Israeli Army Chief Resigns

To their credit, at least the generals, including Halutz, showed up for the ceremony.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Of men and mice

There have been calls for General Halutz to step down in the past.

NPR: Israeli Army Chief Resigns

Second, both during the war and in the six months since its cessation, Halutz lost the faith of his officers and soldiers.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Where Israel Went Wrong

Gen Dan Halutz as Chief of General Staff after the war, almost all the commanders who displayed such incompetence last summer remain in their positions.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Of men and mice

Halutz was the top commander, the leader of the military.

NPR: Israeli Army Chief Resigns

It's expected to be highly critical of Halutz and there continues to be fierce public criticism on the way civilian and military leaders managed the war, this past summer, with Hezbollah.

NPR: Israeli Army Chief Resigns

Their lack of military credentials could make Messrs Olmert and Peretz less able to lead, and thus even more dependent on the army, under its charismatic and popular chief of staff, Dan Halutz.

ECONOMIST: Israel's new government

Dan Halutz was eventually forced into early retirement.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Whither the IDF?