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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7701345.stmNew head for US Central Command
US General David Petraeus has taken control of US military operations throughout the Middle East and much of Asia as head of US Central Command.
His responsibilities include Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.
At a change-of-command ceremony at Central Command headquarters, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said he was "precisely the man we need".
Previously Gen Petraeus was commander of the US military in Iraq, and widely credited with improving security.
Iraq 'surge'
Iraq and Afghanistan are likely to dominate Gen Petraeus' agenda, says the BBC's defence correspondent Rob Watson.
In Iraq, Gen Petraeus will have to manage the eventual reduction of US forces, a process he has made clear that he does not favour rushing.
During his time there, Gen Petraeus implemented the "surge" plan, which saw nearly 30,000 US troops deployed to troublespots in Iraq.
In a major change of strategy, coalition forces also moved out of large bases and into highly populated areas.
Since then, the security situation has improved markedly, with less violence and fewer deaths, and progress on both the political and economic fronts.
But he has said that security gains were "not irreversible" and that the US still faced a "long struggle".
Afghan review
On Afghanistan, he has already commissioned a major review of US strategy, which is expected to emphasise the need for a wider regional solution and more outreach to the Taleban.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher, told the BBC's World Today that it was unlikely there would be talks between Gen Petraeus and the Taleban.
"We're not talking about the US talking to the Taleban. The issue is that both Afghanistan and Pakistan have policies on reconciliation and we have been, and continue to be, willing to support those policies."
He added: "Everybody's got a rumour about some commander who might be willing to lay down his arms and stop fighting.
"But none of that has ever materialised, because those guys just keep hijacking buses and chopping heads off."
The extent of Gen Petreaus' future influence on US policy in the region will of course depend to some extent on who wins the presidential election, though both candidates are admirers, our correspondent says.
Whatever happens, the ambitious and reflective general, whose academic achievements rival his battlefield experience, is likely to remain a prominent and powerful figure, our corresponent adds.
Well deserved
FEAR NAUGHT
Should raw analytical data ever be passed to policy makers?
Good deal
"Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories." Thomas Jefferson
Upon seeing the title of the thread I got a bit excited, thinking that the Congress is creating its first five-star general in a very long time. Then, I realized that it is about the CENTCOM appointment which is old news.
If we contrast the rapid progress of this mischievous discovery of gunpowder with the slow and laborious advances of reason, science, and the arts of peace, a philosopher, according to his temper, will laugh or weep at the folly of mankind. - Edward Gibbon
Anybody care to translate that remark into a prediction for the future?The extent of Gen Petreaus' future influence on US policy in the region will of course depend to some extent on who wins the presidential election, though both candidates are admirers, our correspondent says.
If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Originally from Sochi, Russia.
Exactly my thoughts. Petraeus might deserve the five-star rank but perhaps not just yet.Originally Posted by xerxes
HD Ready?
I think it means that while McCain is a staunch believer in General Petreaus since he considers the General as the sole manna in the mess in Iraq, Obama has not spelt out so categorically of his faith in the General.
My guess is that the General is not only good at matters military but is politically savvy and has immense tact. I believe it to be so since he has had no cognisable opposition from the Shia majority govt of Iraq and he has the Sunnis also eating out of his hand. And he has calmed the troubled waters as deftly as any human can in such a knotty position of internal and external pulls and pushes!
Therefore, I am sure that no matter who is the President, he will prove himself indispensible.
Given the massive mess and dithering that preceded Petreaus' appointment, his handling Iraq to give US a sheen of respectability does warrant a grateful nation recognise his effort!
It is good that such a cerebral General is there as the US head than the gung ho variety that fills the ranks of most armies!
Brains is mighter than brawn! :P
Last edited by Ray; 03 Nov 08, at 06:35.
"Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."
I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.
HAKUNA MATATA
I will. My prediction. Whomever becomes US president had better listen to this man without prejudice. He has certainly deserved this promotion. If they dont then you will see major gains become a major cluster****.
Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.
Congratulations General.
Friends: the General is, of course, not promoting to the five star rank, General of the Army that only ten have ever held, but rather to one of the ten super-regional positions of global power through which the US Army established its legacy of perpetual dominance through force projection at the end of WWII. These were up until this administration called the; Commander-in-chief positions. Some unknown staffer in the White House decided, as part of the so called unitary executive theory, that there was only one C-in-c. Whomever the bureacrat was must have forgotten the National Guard. We now have 58 C-in-cs by my count. Also Ironically enough according to Federalist 69 the President is only C-in-c during war time.
Last edited by Ryan Bailey; 01 Dec 08, at 02:09. Reason: sp.
"If we will not be governed by God then we will be ruled by tyrants" -William Penn
This is very old news.
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