Petraeus and Crocker are scheduled to testify about the war in Iraq on April 8 and 9, their first Capitol Hill appearance since last September. Needless to say, what they say will dominate the news about Iraq for weeks or months afterwards. Originally, it seems, they were supposed to have been joined by Admiral Fallon, the Centcom commander, but the Pentagon now says that Fallon won't participate. (Fallon's resignation is effective March 31.) That's despite requests from members of Congress to have Fallon take part. Says Geoff Morell, Pentagon spokesman:

"I know there have been requests, in fact, from members of Congress to have Adm. Fallon testify with Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, and I can tell you that Adm. Fallon will not be testifying" with them, Morrell told a Pentagon news conference. ...

Morrell said he did not know if Gates personally objects to having Fallon testify alongside Petraeus and Crocker.

Next week, President Bush will cross the river to meet the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon to hammer out post-surge Iraq policy. Stay tuned.