Petraeus Gets Tactical About Afghanistan
On Tuesday, Gen David Petraeus succeeded in convincing the Senate Armed Services Committee that he's fit to take over for Gen Stanley McChrystal in Afghanistan, and he hinted that strategic shifts may be on the way (continued).
On Tuesday, Gen. David Petraeus succeeded in convincing the Senate Armed Services Committee that he’s fit to take over for Gen. Stanley McChrystal in Afghanistan, and he hinted that strategic shifts may be on the way in that war once his expected Senate confirmation has come to pass. –KA
WAIT, BEFORE YOU GO…The New York Times:
Gen. David H. Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that he would take a new look at the rules governing the use of heavy firepower in the Afghan war, which have cut down on United States air strikes and civilian casualties but have been bitterly criticized by American forces who say they have made the fight more dangerous.
Calling the protection of his troops a “moral imperative,” General Petraeus signalled in his Senate confirmation hearing to take command in Afghanistan what could be his first significant shift in policy since President Obama last week fired the top commander there, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal.
[…] Saying that he had consulted the Afghan leadership on the need to adjust course and that they agreed with his view, he added: “I mention this because I am keenly aware of concerns by some of our troopers on the ground about the application of our rules of engagement and the tactical directive. They should know that I will look very hard at this issue.”
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