US Marine Gen. James Jones, President Barack Obama's national security adviser, announced Friday he was quitting after a tenure marked by ambitious foreign policy changes and undercurrents of corrosive turf battles.
Jones' resignation will take effect in two weeks.
Jones will be replaced by his chief deputy, Tom Donilon, a former Democratic political operative and lobbyist who in many ways is already the day-to-day leader of the White House national security operation.
The move, though expected, is the latest high-profile departure among Obama's leadership team. Chief of staff Rahm Emanuel left last week, and the president is expected to see more changes at the top as Obama's tenure nears the two-year mark and the grinding pace of the White House takes a toll.
Jones, who retired from active duty in February 2007 after more than 40 years of uniformed service, had planned all along to leave the national security adviser's post within two years, said one official.
Donilon's promotion has a significant spillover effect on the rest of the White House. He had emerged as a top candidate to replace Emanuel as the permanent chief of staff. Now that job appears even more likely to go to Pete Rouse, the newly installed interim chief of staff and a longtime adviser to Obama.
Donilon has played a leading role in the policymaking process that prepares the national security decisions for the president. He has overseen the coordination among deputy chiefs from across the security apparatus and is known for bringing an understanding of domestic policy and politics to the job.
Contrary to his predecessor, Donilon believes the main threat the US faces comes from Iran, China and North Korea. He is considered a staunch supporter of tightening relations between the US and Israel.
According to the Washington Post, Donilon views Iran and North Korea as the two most serious threats to American national security. He has urged Obama to push for tougher sanctions against the two states.
Jones, meanwhile, has kept a generally low public profile. White House aides say he put his stamp on Obama's major foreign policy decisions over the last 20 months, including a reinforced troop presence in Afghanistan, a winding-down of the war in Iraq and a retooled relationship with Russia.
Jones served as the 32nd Marine Corps Commandant from July 1999 to January 2003. After leaving the post, he became the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and Commander of the US EuropeanCommand, holding the positions until December 2006. Besides combat experience in Vietnam, Jones served tours of duty during Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq and Turkey as well as during operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia.
Administration officials said they expect him to go into a semiretirement in which he will likely serve on boards and offer counsel to the White House.
Yitzhak Benhorin contributed to this report
First published: 18:04, 10.08.10