KING DAVID IN IRAQ
Written by Ralph Peters
Friday, 05 January 2007
It's official: Dave Petraeus, one of the U.S. Army's most impressive leaders, is headed back to Baghdad to take charge. The assignment means a fourth star and the chance to save a desperate situation - or preside over a grim strategic failure.
With back-to-back tours of duty in Iraq behind him and the most positive image among Iraqis of any U.S. leader, military or civilian, Petraeus is a natural choice. His intelligence, drive, devotion to service and negotiating skill make the lean, young-looking general seem perfect.
When he led the 101st Airborne Division in northern Iraq in 2003, he proved such a superb diplomat that the Kurds called him "Malik Daoud" - King David - as a mark of respect. He listened patiently, spent money wisely, used force intelligently and truly did win hearts and minds.
So what could possibly be doubtful about the choice of Gen. Petraeus to take over the leadership of our forces in Iraq?
Sounds like maybe a change for the better, thanks for that.