The resignation of Admiral William “Fox” Fallon today rocked the military-national security world and immediately sparked questions as to the ramifications for U.S.-Iran relations. Fallon, who was the top military commander in the Middle East and the man responsible for fighting two wars tendered his resignation noting that the fallout from an article highlighting him in Esquire magazine made it impossible for him to effectively fulfill his duties.

The Esquire magazine in question noted Fallon as saying:

“This constant drumbeat of conflict . . . is not helpful and not useful. I expect that there will be no war, and that is what we ought to be working for. We ought to try to do our utmost to create different conditions.”

Comments of this nature and the overall tone of the article, which suggested that Fallon was essentially the only thing standing between the Administration and war with Iran caused anger at the White House according to a senior administration official who spoke on background to ABC news.

Fallon himself used his resignation statement to minimize the distance between himself and the President:

“Recent press reports suggesting a disconnect between my views and the president’s policy objectives have become a distraction at a critical time and hamper efforts in the Centcom region. And although I don’t believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command area of responsibility, the simple perception that there is makes it difficult for me to effectively serve America’s interests there.”

It should be noted that Fallon is currently traveling in the Middle East — a strange decision some might say for someone who was getting ready to resign.

The Esquire magazine article that triggered this resignation also suggested that it might happen. This graft of the piece should perhaps be read soberly in light of today’s news:

“well-placed observers now say that it will come as no surprise if Fallon is relieved of his command before his time is up next spring, maybe as early as this summer, in favor of a commander the White House considers to be more pliable. If that were to happen, it may well mean that the president and vice-president intend to take military action against Iran before the end of this year and don’t want a commander standing in their way.”

So the question is simple. How will the Fallon resignation impact U.S. policy pertaining to Iran?

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