United States Central Command (CENTCOM) is the joint armed forces command responsible for American military operations in the Middle East, East Africa, and Central Asia. Along with PACOM (Pacific Command) and EUCOM (European Command), CENTCOM helps coordinate the efforts of the American armed forces —the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Special Forces—in battle theaters across the planet. While the Pacific and European Commands have been relatively tranquil over the last two decades, CENTCOM has led U.S. military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Somalia.

The acting Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Central Command is Lieutentant General Martin Dempsey, who succeeded the post upon the resignation of Admiral William Fallon. General David Petraeus, currently serving as the top U.S. Commander in Iraq, has been recruited to replace Fallon, possibly as early as Fall of 2008.