U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates yesterday recommended Adm. William J. Fallon, head of the Hawai'i-based U.S. Pacific Command, for command of the Middle East region, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Gates called Fallon, whose nickname is "Fox," one of the "best strategic thinkers in uniform today." U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawai'i, on Thursday confirmed the selection of Fallon for the job at the helm of U.S. Central Command.

"Adm. Fallon's tenure in Asia has been characterized by an extraordinary level of innovation and strategic vision in dealing with a range of political, economic and security challenges," Gates said in a written statement.

White House spokesman Tony Snow said yesterday that, "Fox Fallon is somebody who obviously is well known and well respected for his abilities."

The choice of a Navy admiral with little experience in the Middle East to oversee ground-based wars in Iraq and Afghanistan left some scratching their heads.

Dan Goure, a defense analyst with the Lexington Institute in Virginia, offered several observations.

The Bush Administration was looking for an experienced combatant commander, he said. "Breaking in a new (combatant commander) in the middle of all that's happening in Iraq, or somebody who's had a lower level of experience, is probably not a good idea," Goure said.

Fallon is a combatant commander who "has broad understanding of sort of the political, economic and military (strategy)," Goure said. "He's used to carrying multiple threads of planning and strategy at the same time."

Goure also believes a Navy surge to the Persian Gulf is likely in a show of force to Iran. Such a demonstration would show that even while occupied with a difficult war in Iraq, sufficient forces remain to keep vital oil shipping lanes open.

The Norfolk, Va.-based Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group entered the gulf Dec. 11, and a surge would bring other Naval assets to the region.

Fallon, 62, who has been at the helm of Pacific Command for just under two years, would replace Gen. John Abizaid in charge of Tampa, Fla.-based U.S. Central Command. The Senate must approve his nomination.

"I am grateful for Secretary Gates' trust and confidence, and look forward to the nomination and confirmation processes," Fallon said in a statement.

Fallon is familiar with global hotspots since his command includes North Korea, China and Taiwan. He oversees 300,000 troops in the Pacific.

Fallon also is no stranger to insurgents, with hundreds of U.S. Special Forces training and equipping Philippine troops to help fight an insurgency in Mindanao, the traditional Muslim homeland in the southern Philippines.

Fallon would inherit the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa mission out of Djibouti, an effort to prevent Muslim extremists from gaining influence. About 1,500 U.S. and coalition forces are engaged in humanitarian missions in the region led by Rear Adm. Richard W. Hunt.

Fallon pushed ahead to develop military exchanges with China despite some vocal criticism from some corners of the Pentagon and some conservative think tanks.

Charles Morrison, president of the East-West Center, said Fallon has done "an outstanding job" improving military-to-military relations with China.

"For someone who I think came in without previous background on China, he really took it on board as something he really wanted to focus on," Morrison said.

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.