TIME takes a look at the promotion of the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, and the intersection with the presidential campaign. To begin with, Democratic candidates Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), who have called for a major troop withdrawal from Iraq, will need to vote in the coming weeks on Petraeus’ promotion to head Centcom, the U.S. strategic command for the Middle East region. His presence will also raise questions about the long-term prospects for the surge strategy in Iraq as well as counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan.

The presumptive Republican candidate, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), praised the promotion of Petraeus and urged quick Senate confirmation.