Zinni is one of the most respected flag ranks in regards to actual operational warfighting. He isn't prone to rash statements without justification, although perhaps known for taking a dogmatic stance from the information he has been provided. Sort of a Marine version of Patton, if I may be so gratuitous (or skeptical depending on one's view of Patton).
He's lost a LOT of respect in the Corps for running his mouth like this.
He was good enough to be appointed Mid-East Envoy after he retired, but he's suddenly forgotten everything he spent his professional life learning??
This crap of bashing anybody who is critical of The Annointed, regardless of their qualification to offer an informed opinion, is un-American.
And he wasn't known for consorting with Iranian spies...
I worked with him from 1998-2000. A good guy and very respected among troops. But...
Has always been a Democrat who admittedly broke ranks with his family and voted Republican one time (for Bush in 2000).
Was a Clinton favorite, and has always been a big UN fan.
Has always been against military action against Iraq. Was very hesitant about the 1998 bombing during Desert Fox, to the consternation of all his subordinate Generals. Not because, as they thought, it did not go far enough, but because he feared we were pushing Saddam, and more importantly the other mid-east Arab leaders, too hard.
A great warrior, but ever since Somilia has been clearly on the dove side of almost any military action anywhere.
No insult intended to the man. I would not even claim I could fill his shoes. I just keep everything he says in perspective knowing his opinions. GEN Franks always held him in high respect, but I do not believe they agreed about the need for force against Saddam. Franks, who spent more years there than Zinni, never believed Saddam would give in to international pressure and would have to be taken out.
I only wish these retired Generals would realize what they do to moral when they talk too much, especially when they were not involved with the decision making.
With all due respect, you are either a liar, or you simply don't know what you are talking about. Zinni was NO Patton, he was a self-aggrandizing Clinton apologist who sold his soul for rank. Zinni lost respect in the Pentagon a long time ago over his preference that Clinton only use Cruise Missiles in attacks on Iraq, so that no men might be lost on his watch. He expected to be CJCS under Al Gore and when Gore lost, Zinni lost his effin' mind and forgot where he came from.
Zinni's reputation is not as great as you have suggested. All the generals and top officers who made grade during the Clinton years had to have a particular poltical mind set to get there ( and it was much commented on at the time). Zinni blew his assignment trying to get Arafat to work with Israel...he is a blow hard doing damage to the troops and the Commander in CHief....that is sedition pure and simple
all this crap gives a boost to our enemies, and it will keep up to about the election when hopefully and prayerfully, Bush pulls it out.....
Does anyone think the good general will be asked about the money for ill scam that made backstabbers and blackmailers and whores out of Russia and France and many others..????
Well, then this pompous ass should realize that he is encouraging the die-hard Islamic enemies of soldiers he used to command (under his mentor Clinton) and is now an asset to the enemy forces and their propaganda machine.
Doesn't loyalty mean anything to these media whores?
Zinni is a legend in his own mind. Powell appointed him as a Middle East envoy to act as an on-site go between with Sharon and Arafat to try to stop the intifada. I question his diplomatic skills and regional expertise. He is another one of these prima donna generals who think the only good ideas come from them. I received a briefing from him in 1999 and thought he was an arrogant a##hole.