Oh no .. the most brilliant military mind of our time.
Is this all BHO-Dictator’s handiwork, softening even more
and caving in for the muslim beasts, calling it ‘victory’
when our troops leave, while he prepares for the next
attacks here?
And Hillary getting involved in a delicate military
situation. Jeeesh. She’s so very political.
I pray for Gen. Petraeus’ health and especially for our
courageous, long suffering troops and their families.
Maybe he would run in 2012. Pray our remaining patriot
military leadership stands up for the defense and survival
of our dear nation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At Reuters, Myra MacDonald speculates that Petraeus,
who’s ramped up the campaign against the Taliban, is being
phased out as the White House phases in a negotiation
strategy ahead of the 2014 withdrawal deadline.
Petraeus had been trying to negotiate too — “talk and
shoot,” as David Ignatius dubbed his blueprint — but
presumably the thinking is that the Taliban might be more
amenable to dealing with a general who hasn’t been
hammering them for months.
Besides, as MacDonald notes, Mike Mullen’s term as Joint
Chiefs chairman is up this year and Obama will need a
replacement who not only knows the theater but who can
provide him with crucial political cover by blessing the
idea of negotiations.
And there’s only one man with the credibility to do that.
Exit question: How much longer will he remain in command?
Presumably he’ll be there at least until summer for
continuity reasons, as the U.S. expects a major spring
offensive by the Taliban — especially against local Afghan
leaders who have cooperated with NATO.
_______________________________
The reshuffle will involve the return to Washington of the
top five US diplomats in Kabul, including its Ambassador,
Karl Eikenberry, as well as the likely departure of
Lieutenant-General David Rodriguez, deputy to Petraeus.
The changes follow the appointment this week of Marc
Grossman, a career diplomat, as Obama’s new special envoy
to the region with the urgent task of rescuing US-Pakistani
relations after the arrest of an American diplomat who is
charged with a double murder in Lahore.
Many of the moves are expected to coincide with a reduction
in US troop numbers, which Obama has promised will start
this summer, despite General Petraeus’s objections.
The news that the general himself would be leaving Kabul
stunned close observers of US strategy, but the Pentagon
insisted Tuesday it was a natural development, given the
demands of running the war and Washington’s need for fresh
blood in a crucial role.
I have doubts Petraeus would accept the Joint Chiefs
position. And now when it’s so critical, the most
experienced team leaves Afghanistan. Lord help us,
please.
Troubling ...
Thanks for the ping, STAR.