The Senate confirmed Gen. Joseph Votel and Lt. Gen. Tony Thomas to lead Central Command and Special Operations Command, whose tasks including formulating strategy against the Islamic State, according to reports late Thursday.
Lawmakers on the Senate Armed Services Committee grilled the two Wednesday, asking both men how their plans to defeat the Syria and Iraqi-based terrorist group would be different than current strategies.
As head of Central Command, Votel will be based in Florida and oversee all U.S. operations in the Middle East. He most recently served as the leader of U.S. Special Operations Command and will replace the outgoing Gen. Lloyd Austin.
Thomas will fill Votel’s previous position overseeing the American special operators from Florida. He will direct elite special operations forces in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.
Any new strategy the two newly appointed leaders try to implement will have to be approved by the president, who has maintained a tight hold on America’s plans in the war against terrorism.
