(Updated) Report: Gen. David Petraeus Leaving Post in Afghanistan?
- Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:16pm by
Meredith Jessup
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According to a report from the Times of London, General David Petraeus is soon expected to leave his post as commander of U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan. “The general who replaces Petraeus will have to navigate a tricky relationship with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani leaders,” the Times noted. (h/t HuffPo)
The Times report echoes an earlier story published by the Washington Post Tuesday afternoon that stated “virtually the entire U.S. civilian and military leadership in Afghanistan is expected to leave in the coming months…”
The Times now reports that the Pentagon is expected to name a replacement for Petraeus in the coming months.
As you’ll recall, President Barack Obama asked Gen. Petraeus to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal after the then-commander made off-handed and inappropriate comments to Rolling Stone magazine last summer.
So where might Gen. Petraeus be headed?
While no official decision has been made, Reuters reports that the four-star general’s name has been thrown around as a potential successor to Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is expected to retire in October. “Any move would be part of a broader shake-up in the administration, which will also see Defense Secretary Robert Gates retire this year,” Reuters adds.
The question is what this move, if confirmed, would mean for policy. Petraeus, more than anyone else, has been identified with the intensified military campaign in Afghanistan which, according to critics of the policy, has reduced prospects of a political settlement by alienating Taliban leaders who might otherwise be coaxed into peace talks.
Petraeus has been a towering figure in Washington and difficult to challenge politically. He had what was seen in the United States as a good track record in Iraq. And he was backed by Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — making it very hard for those within the U.S. administration who disagreed with his assessment to win President Barack Obama over to their point of view.
Moreover, Obama had already sacked two generals — Generals David McKiernan and Stanley McChrystal — and could hardly dismiss a third. (If I remember rightly — and no doubt someone will correct me if I am wrong — no president since Abraham Lincoln has changed his generals so frequently in wartime.) Promoting Petraeus would be far easier.
His departure, especially with Gates on his way out, could create the space for Obama to recalibrate Afghan strategy, backing away from the military surge and focusing more on a political settlement - if he wants to do so.
Another shakeup in Afghanistan personnel includes U.S. ambassador Karl Eikenberry who will reportedly also leave his job in the coming months.
Update:
In a statement emailed to military correspondent Michael Yon, Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ press spokesman dismissed the rumor:
Despite some sensational speculation by one of the London papers, I can assure you General Petraeus is not quitting as ISAF commander, but nor does he plan to stay in Afghanistan forever. Obviously he will rotate out at some point, but that point has not yet been determined and it will not occur anytime soon. Until then, he will continue to ably lead our coalition forces in Afghanistan.
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Comments (118)
5410amh
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:41pmObozo is making a mistake, Gen. Petraeus is a great general he brought iraq back under control and was making progress on afganistan. I’m sad to see him go but he would make a great president.
Report Post »VermontPatriot
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:34pmIt’s hard to fight when you have an arm and a leg tied behind your back.
Report Post »entropy
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:33pmHow can you put the fear of the Almighty into the enemy when YOUR BOSS tells you to handle them with one hand tied behing your back?
Report Post »An Amercian
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:28pmWhy, is so many of you refuse to admit, that the purpose of any Army from the dawn of time is to kill pepole and break things
Report Post »VermontPatriot
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:36pmI went to Germany. I walked the east/West german Border. I was there when the wall came down. Never shot a soul.
I did wreck a few lawns and kill a few trees with my APC.
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 3:11pmI see nothing wrong with your observation –
We just try to kill those who are trying to KILL US and break things which are being used to try to KILL US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Mark Levin Fan
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:18pmGeneral Petraeus for President 2012
Report Post »Mark Levin Fan
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:16pmGeneral Petraeus For President 2012, Alan West For Vice President 2012
Report Post »jmmjr49er
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:11pmPresident Petraeus has a nice ring to it! Obama thinks he is campaigning again.
Report Post »HOCKEYHAWK216
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:00pmI agree with you, Snow, let’s either be in it to win it — no holds barred — or get the hay outta the way. Absolutely despicable how our own congress treated General Petraeus-aka-Betrayus when he served under Bush . . . can’t believe he stayed as long as he did.
Report Post »oldsoldier10
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:58pmAnything Obama touches is failolure, Sent in the NUMBER ONE General in the US Army and because obama bureaucracy and political BS = failure no one can polish a turd and that’s all the obama administration issues
Report Post »Verum Ad Potentia
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:48pmCan anybody say: West + Petraeus 2012?
Report Post »davecoolworld
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 11:38pmHoly Crap….I love it!
Report Post »Jim in Houston
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 11:10amThe very idea scares the crap out of Obumbler and company.
Report Post »Stavy
Posted on February 17, 2011 at 2:02pmMy thoughts as well. That would be an awesome ticket! One thing is for sure, if they ever do run together and win, America will finally have a backbone again.
My feeling on the War in Afghanistan is lets either go all in or get all out. With both of them in charge, I think we would be all in for sure. Then we could bring our troops home with honor, give the people there are real shot at freedom, and put all would be terrorist on notice that WE WILL finish what THEY start.
Report Post »scout n ambush
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:44pmGen. David Petraeus probably got tired of the restrictions placed on the troops pc has no place in war..
Report Post »streetrodder
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:42pmMabey Barry will really get tough and put Eric Holder in charge. LOL.
Report Post »Is_Sense_Common
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:55pmHilarious comment…
Report Post »boodrow
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:41pmPresidential bid? He’s good at what he does, protecting this country.
Report Post »justanamerican
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:35pmObama admin is unraveling……..quickly
Report Post »heyjim55
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:34pmI would think he has had enough and it would not surprise me if he tries to run against the dear leader in 2012.
Report Post »Whostolemypig
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:13pmIf the republicans don’t put forth a candidate that is capable of winning, then I vote in the democratic primary, for the candidate most likely to beat O’Blunder.
Report Post »eyestoseeearstohear
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:34pmBEST Presidential Candidates:
Allen West
General Patreaus
Chris Christie
AND IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER…..EITHER ONE WILL DO.
Report Post »Shawn-GA
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:38pmDon’t forget Herman Cain. I don’ think Christie will be ready by 2012. If he is I will be all for him!!
Report Post »conservativewrath
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:24pmIMO it does not matter what the General’s party affiliation is. If he has good core values and is a person capible of leading the country forward I would vote for a dem.. Just seems that we have not found one yet so currently I would stick with a repub.
I would not however, jump on the Petraeus bandwagon until I know his values. Had we elected Powel we would have been sadly disappointed IMO.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:00pmBROKER0101: Petraeus is no Democrat; he claims to be & tries to remain a-political but personally knowing Super-Dave as I do he’s actually a repressed, closet Republican who does his damnedest to remain politically neutral in his professional military duties as the Constitution & the UCMJ require.
Report Post »WBOB
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:34pmThis aint good for our efforts in Afghanistan. Wonder was’up with this?
Report Post »booger71
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:34pmIf we are not going to fight to win, maybe the Gen should bring everyone home with him
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:05pm-“alienating Taliban leaders who might otherwise be coaxed into peace talks”
That don’t sound none too good. My concept of alienating Taliban doesn’t leave any of them alive and talking at all.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:49pm@Xcori8r
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:05pm
-“alienating Taliban leaders who might otherwise be coaxed into peace talks”
That don’t sound none too good. My concept of alienating Taliban doesn’t leave any of them alive and talking at all.
Report Post »__________________
You are my kinda soldier!
Jim in Houston
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 11:06amXcori8r: I couldn’t agree more.
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:33pmGood luck to him.. Don’t know of he would want the Joint Chief gig.. might be too close to B.O. even for someone used to the smell of Karzai.
Report Post »daddy warbucks
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:55pmgood one!
Report Post »nptden
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:33pmPetreus, and all our troops should come home from Afghanistan. Time to protect our borders, and leave the entire area. Let the Indians, buck up and the Japanese…Time to use or nuclear capabilities rather than our men.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:31pmFor a replacement of Petraeus in Afghanistan, I hope someone who will actually continue to put the fear of the Almighty into the terrorists will be nominated and let to command the area. If a political hack is appointed instead, then get the troops home before they are in there to mess everything else up worse than Obama already has managed to do.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:24amThis isn’t 1983. We can no longer afford to turn away from what is being done with our Military. They are being used as a tool of Jihad. They have been throughly deceived by the muslim advisors, muslim consultants, muslim officers, muslim enlisted men, and muslim chaplains they themselves hired and whose advice they now take in all things relating to Islam.
Our denial of what Islam stands for and the mechanic of Jihad has cost the lives of our beloved citizens: sacrificed on the altar of alien god. We must stop this deadly game where we lose and Islam wins.
Jihad is real and it will kill you and everyone you love.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:35amThere are no terrorists in Afghanistan.
Report Post »Shawn-GA
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:30pmCain / Petraeus (Petraeus/Cain) 2012?
Report Post »Is_Sense_Common
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:54pmExactly what I was thinking. I don‘t know Petraeus’s politics, but I love Herman’s.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:39pmANYBODY but Cain!!! Cain is a RINO.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:41pmWhew! HERMAN Cain! OH!
Report Post »I thought you were talking about What’s-his-name Cain.
I thought you’d “lost it!”
Showtime
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:45pmI think I‘m the one who’s “lost it.”
Report Post »His name isn’t even “Cain.” It’s John McCain!
In Hilda Radner’s words, “Never mind.”
neverending
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:30pmcab we have obama head them up right on the front lines? I am sure he would win it in a second!
Report Post »cj_thespook
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:11pmYep he could go speech them to death :-)
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:28pmSo, General Petraeus is being “kicked upstairs”. I just hope that Øbama won’t screw up Afghanistan anymore than it already is.
Report Post »Smitty1969
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:26pmAs a battlefield commander with 4 stars politics is the snake pit. One must abandon honor for the ends of victory, this is why I will never vote for a General or Admiral politician. If you haven’t served you do not know what you give up in the service for the country, “your constitutional rights”. Only those who have not served will tell me this is untrue.
Semper Fi
Report Post »franknshadow
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:59pmWell Smitty, truth is there‘s not a General in uniform with more than 1 star that isn’t pure politician.. True, the Marine Corp has battlefield politicians in its Officers corp with stars, however Military politics are still politics.. General Colin Powell comes to mind.. His appointment, check that, his career, was the result of affirmative action programs.. What did we end up with?? A politician that is a registered Republican, that endorses a radical liberal for president, and then tells the conservatives how liberal they have to be to get elected.. Hows that return on your civil rights dollar??
Report Post »Smitty1969
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:29pm@ FrankShadow
Report Post »You are right only the politics start around full bird. Pure at one star? I will say PURE at 4, 80% at 2 stars.
StonyBurk
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:16amI just hope his plan for Afghanistan is not to do like our Govt. did in Somalia after allowing mission creep there. Pulling out before the mission is accomplished–and I pray whoever takes over from Mullen will
Report Post »tell the CIC that repeal of DADT-and the Pretenders plan to sodomize the Military will not work.
J.C. McGlynn
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:28pmMaybe he has had enough BS from politicians.
Report Post »abc
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:50pmOr maybe Petraeus is failing in Afghanistan, since what works in Iraq doesn’t work in a very different nation…
Report Post »Smitty1969
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 7:55pmWOW another? Petraeus is leaving, why? I know I could never do his job but there seems to be a pattern here. ALL dictators seem to fire there Generals while they take power? They give power to young (recently promoted) generals who blindly obey. This is not good considering the stakes. Only the troops will suffer in the early days. Stand by all Americans!
Report Post »American Capitalist
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:12pmI wouldn’t particularly care to work for his boss either.
Report Post »ABC – do you troll just this board all day or many?
mcfinch
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:13pmToo bad sad to see him go.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Video Website
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 8:18pmOr is it expecting too much to hope that he is preparing a run for the 2012 presidential election?
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:05pmABC is just a troll who pops up every now and then, gets smacked around and shown what a tool he his, runs away for a couple of weeks for more brainwashing at moveon.org and then pops back up when he thinks he can win an arguement
typical, but doesnt learn, as his arguements continue to be baseless, completely without fact, and full of easily trashed strawmen arguements
i really wish he would step up his game, he is starting to be boring
Report Post »DisillusionedDaily
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:09pmGeneral Petraeus has my admiration for his accomplishments while serving the wimp-in-chief and retaining his sanity. The ambassador’s replacement was announced today, but I cannot remember the name of the gentleman chosen. (I suffer from advanced CRS)!
Report Post »Ditto Head
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:25pmPetraeus is the right man for the job in Afganistan.
Report Post »That‘s why Obama won’t have him there.
Showtime
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:34pm@ABC ~
I doubt that General Petraeus is failing in his role. He undertook the commander’s job in Afghanistan as a step down in his duties. I suspect that Obama’s policies of how to “fight” a war (with our guys’ hands tied behind their backs) has gotten old to Petraeus.
Then there is all the protesting going on over there, with American-hating Muslims on every side. If the troops come home, the Koolade drinkers will swoon. That’s great for an upcoming election.
Report Post »ixmfourxi
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 9:34pmAnybody who has seen the Afghanistan war documentary called ‘Restrepo’ knows how messed up that country is, and is putting our troops at risk. We need to pull out ASAP, and focus on the local front.
Report Post »Smitty1969
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 10:01pm@J.C MCGLYNN
Anybody who has seen the Afghanistan war documentary called ‘Restrepo’ knows how messed up that country is, and is putting our troops at risk.
Great documentary, a lesson in Heavy Police action. The show is streaming on Netflix, they have a 30 day three trial and use it to watch this documentary.
a year embedded with the Second Platoon in Afghanistan, chronicling the hard work, fear and brotherhood that come with repelling a deadly enemy. Hunkered down with the soldiers in one of the region’s most strategic valleys.
It is a NatGeo but well done.
Report Post »13thGenerationAmerican
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 10:03pmThis is a very tough war to fight. The enemy blends into the local population and moves in and out of Pakistan. When the US kills innocent peasants or children, we just create more enemies. Ask yourself this, if another country invaded the US, would you use these same tactics given the same circumstances?
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 10:10pmAmos: Corps to Shrink After Afghanistan
February 11, 2011
Honolulu Advertiser
The commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, revealed on a visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii Thursday that the size of the Corps would drop from 202,000 today to 186,800 after the U.S. pulls out of Afghanistan.
The scope of the reduction was determined through a force structure review launched in September.
Amos and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, visited Kaneohe to talk to Marines and Sailors about a telephone hotline initiative for anonymous counseling to help troops and families deal with deployment issues.
Seems a bunch of Marines will be retired as well
Report Post »Smitty1969
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 10:19pmThe Libs hate Marines, Hollywood has been slamming them for years. Avatar, a global film is the latest.
Report Post »beebacksoon
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 11:14pmJ.C. McGlynn
Report Post »He is no dummy. I didn‘t think he’d last long, knowing what Obama and his administration were doing. He knows Afghanistan is a losing battle.
davecoolworld
Posted on February 15, 2011 at 11:33pmThe General can’t run a war with the rules of engagement imposed by politicians with no battle experience, no heart, no apparent brain and no stomach. Why does this sound familiar….oh yeah VIETNAM.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 7:07amGee. After all that crap from obama ‘getting rid of Bush’s’ man in charge. It turns out that ‘changing’ policy management isn’t all that wise, mid game. obama is such an idiot.
Report Post »Miguelito
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:06amI agree with JC. I’m sure the Obama administration is not messing with the millitary?
Report Post »jpmiller.01
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:50amPetraeus for President, I would like to see some discussion on his thoughts about the direction of our country. I think we need to surge on job creation and depict reduction. Time for smaller government, flat tax and retooled foreign policy.
Report Post »Jim in Houston
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 10:56amNah, that would only have taken half a day.
Report Post »taskmaster78
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 11:24amTo be quite frank with you I don‘t give a rip where he’s going: what ****** me off is the wasted blood shed at this hell hole. We leave before victory, this is typical of a leftist liberal socialist. The blood shed is on his hands (Obama) simply because he’s incapable of finishing the our mission. Bastard
Report Post »123gone
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 11:41amI suspect something far more sinister – Obama doesn’t give a darn about Afghanistan, he is working on the 2012 election. If it gets nasty, he is going to need the General to cover his backside here in the US. This election is going to be a major defining point in American history, and if corruption is found at the polls, it may well be: Katy-bar-the-door, not only in Washington, but also across the entire country. Don’t underestimate Obama or the Far Left agenda.
Report Post »be1776
Posted on February 16, 2011 at 1:59pmI say Romney /Petraeus in 2012. If I were Romney, I would have been looking for my V.P. on his fact finding trip to the middle East. I would pick Petraeus and then let him loose. As V.P., he would work with the military and form a cohesive/realistic/non-disjointed foreign policy for America. They would blow away the two know nothings, do nothings in those current roles.
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