Petraeus Offers Words of Caution on Iraq, Afghanistan Outlook
The new head of U.S. Central Command praises the drop in violence in Iraq, but warns of "storm clouds"
Gen. David Petraeus, in reviewing his 17-month tenure as commander of U.S. forces in Iraq during a speech yesterday, discussed the deeds of his soldiers and the dramatic decrease in violence there but ended the talk on a more somber note about what he called "the storm clouds" on the horizon.
In particular, Petraeus highlighted what he sees as the chief threats to Iraq's progress in the months to come. Among them are the upcoming provincial elections, the possible return of Shiite special group militia members from Iran (whose specialties include planting devastating roadside bombs), and the return of Iraqi refugees to homes that they may find occupied by militias.
These are among the key challenges Petraeus faces as he heads to Tampa later this month to take the helm of U.S. Central Command, putting him in charge of running the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Both will keep him busy. Petraeus has repeatedly warned that progress in Iraq remains fragile and tenuous. He noted, however, that there are indications that al Qaeda's leadership is more concentrated on Afghanistan these days. "We have seen some apparent shifting of focus," he said, adding that it is "certainly something" that he is keeping an eye on.
Many others will as well, hopeful that Petraeus can create the same kind of turnaround in Afghanistan that he is credited for in Iraq. Petraeus noted that he is frequently asked these days if "what will work in Iraq will work in Afghanistan." To that rhetorical question he gave no answers this week, but U.S. military officials have repeatedly warned that Iraq strategies may not fit Afghanistan.
Indeed, they continue to struggle with how to apply counterinsurgency lessons to two very different countries. On the topic of reconciliation, Petraeus echoed the need "to talk to enemies." It was on the heels of a question about comments made by a British general in Afghanistan who said this week that a military defeat of the Taliban is "neither feasible nor supportable." British Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith suggested reducing the insurgency to a "manageable level" and talking with the Taliban. If it were prepared to "talk about a political settlement, then that's precisely the sort of progress that concludes insurgencies like this," Carleton-Smith, the departing commander of British forces in Afghanistan, told a London newspaper.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates may well prove amenable to the idea of dialogue. He said this week that "part of the solution is strengthening the Afghan security forces. Part of the solution is reconciliation with people who are willing to work with the Afghan government."
Petraeus, for his part, emphasized that during his command in Iraq, U.S. troops made a concerted effort to talk to Sunni insurgents to separate those who were reconcilable toward the government from those who were not. That said, he added, every counterinsurgency is unique.
He also mentioned one of his early trips to Afghanistan, with a comment that sounded mostly like a warning. During that visit, he recalled, he came to the conclusion that "Afghanistan was going to be the longest campaign of the long war."
Today, he says, "I still subscribe to that view."
Reader Comments
War and economics
Incentives based in the conflict of perceptions comes from a focus on what is desired by various people. When it is discovered why any approach is the foundation of a perceived need, there can be new discoveries that uncover a more general purpose for all involved that negates the conflicting narrow viewpoints. But, the new discoveries of why any endeavor is desired will reflect the original reasons we all exist at the same time in this awareness of life we have. Most disagreements are because there is a belief that the past determines the present. As one group has inhabited an area at one time that another has at another time, there is a viable claim to the area for both. When there is an established authority that denies one group and accepts another as the rightful posseror of a territoty, there always will be another 'authority' to defend the rights of the ousted. This is why, with the populations we have around the globe today, the battles over place and the various authorities of claim will not cease. It is a monster we all will increasingly have to deal with. However, terrorist bombings and violent attacks of will against anyone is not only a stupid way to do any kind of business, it also brings personal and collective shame on the heads of the ones who terrorize (to their maker no matter what they believe). In this regard, it is appropriate for countries like the US to counter attack with any might of talent and force to rid the stupidity brought upon us all by the sandbox mentality of drug pushing parasites. I don't talk to mosquitoes. I smash them because I do not want to die from malaria.
Yes,I agree about or TROOPS leaving Iraq.It's a time for everything.This is in your BIBLE, said Jesus.We have been in the Middle East long enough for whatever 6 long years and lives taken.This is a greedy man's WAR with HUMAN SUFFERING as the end product.No end stratedgey at all.What is the fight about now.Bin-Ladn is probably dead by now or own his way physically or either here in the USA.How are we to know for sure?Leave them along and FREE our Soldiers from all this MESS NOW!How many more lives do we need to be taken in the far Middle East.The Theater Curtian SHOULD be ready to CLOSE for intermission and a change of attire.Leave Afghantian too.Enough is enough.They are getting frustrated at the USA for continous interfering.Talk and NEGIOATE PEACE however at this point.No use trying to WIN nothing because it is very HARD to WIN anything in another's TERRITORY.We the U.S. don't know all the secret hiding places and they will never tell us no matter who's paid money but you can give MONEY a try by offering a bigger REWARD for Bin-Laden.At times like these someone might SPILL.Their neighbors SHOULD help in a better manner now and maybe would.They will come together.Now we have no ALLY friends and that's why we need our YOUNG strength HOME today in case of.PEACE! PEACE! PEACE we need all over the WORLD today.STOP the WARS! We are the PEOPLE and wants to be heard.
GET OUT
POPPY FIELDS OF MASS DESTRUCTION ---- TIME TO AWAKEN
The beautiful and delicate poppy that now paints the landscapes of Afghanistan with vibrant colors, has long been the symbol for sacrifice. The aesthetic is as soothing to the sense of sight, as it is exasperating to the conscience.
http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/04/poppy-fields-of-mass-destruction.html
Drastic action is required.
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