Really Soft Power

New York Times ^ | January 26, 2009 | Gary Schaub

[OkeyDokeyOkie]

GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS, not Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will shape American engagement with the Middle East for years to come. While Mrs. Clinton prepares to put together the State Department, the military is already reconsidering American policy in critical regions. The politically savvy General Petraeus has both a plan and the resources to see it through.

[OkeyDokeyOkie]

Let us hope that the obviously well-informed and erudite writer of this piece, a faculty member of Air War College, educates Hillary Clinton--a daunting task, to be sure.

[jstassis]

What happened to the General “Betrayus” rhetoric?

[DieHard the Hunter]

> What happened to the General “Betrayus” rhetoric?

(grin!) The good General probably grew out of being bothered by that by time he graduated from Grade Two. He seems like that sort of guy.

[wmileo]

"The politically savvy General Petraeus has both a plan and the resources to see it through."

Only if he gets a chance with the Democrats in charge of things.

[Oldexpat]

If the State Dept wimps won’t come out of their bunkers and do their jobs, then the military will continue to be the leaders in the field. They can’t even get diplomats to go to Iraq. They all expect to be in Paris or Geneva...living the high life. With their foreign nannies and gated housing.