thedrifter
02-02-07, 01:32 PM
Petraeus leaves Kansas, prepares for Iraq
By John Milburn - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Feb 2, 2007 13:47:29 EST
FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Lt. Gen. David Petraeus relinquished command Friday of this post, the final step before taking command of U.S. forces in Iraq amid growing belief that the nation has slipped into civil war.
Petraeus’ departure came as the latest National Intelligence Estimate was released on Iraq, suggesting that Iraqi leaders will be hard-pressed to achieve sustained political reconciliation in the next 12 to 18 months. The report by 16 U.S. spy agencies raises uncertainty about prospects for withdrawing American troops and the mission awaiting Petraeus.
President Bush nominated Petraeus to replace Gen. George Casey as commander on the ground as part of Bush’s new strategy for Iraq, which includes adding 21,500 U.S. troops.
During his confirmation hearing last month, Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee the situation in Iraq was “dire, but not hopeless.” Petraeus testified he wanted all 21,500 troops moved “as rapidly as possible” into Iraq.
Along with more soldiers, Petraeus will be taking to Iraq the new counterinsurgency doctrine he helped write and produce over the past two years at Fort Leavenworth. Written for battalion and division commanders, the manual discusses the tone and scope of counterinsurgencies, emphasizing a need to see operations as fighting a “three-block war.”
The doctrine also warns of a long-term war, marked by the need for political and economic solutions, not just military operations.
Petraeus is making his third tour to Iraq, serving first as commander of the 101st Airborne Division during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and as the first commander of the Multinational Security Transition Command from 2004 to 2005.
The Army hasn’t named a replacement for Petraeus at Fort Leavenworth, which houses the Command and General Staff College, Center for Army Lessons Learned and a new Counterinsurgency Center.
By John Milburn - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Feb 2, 2007 13:47:29 EST
FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Lt. Gen. David Petraeus relinquished command Friday of this post, the final step before taking command of U.S. forces in Iraq amid growing belief that the nation has slipped into civil war.
Petraeus’ departure came as the latest National Intelligence Estimate was released on Iraq, suggesting that Iraqi leaders will be hard-pressed to achieve sustained political reconciliation in the next 12 to 18 months. The report by 16 U.S. spy agencies raises uncertainty about prospects for withdrawing American troops and the mission awaiting Petraeus.
President Bush nominated Petraeus to replace Gen. George Casey as commander on the ground as part of Bush’s new strategy for Iraq, which includes adding 21,500 U.S. troops.
During his confirmation hearing last month, Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee the situation in Iraq was “dire, but not hopeless.” Petraeus testified he wanted all 21,500 troops moved “as rapidly as possible” into Iraq.
Along with more soldiers, Petraeus will be taking to Iraq the new counterinsurgency doctrine he helped write and produce over the past two years at Fort Leavenworth. Written for battalion and division commanders, the manual discusses the tone and scope of counterinsurgencies, emphasizing a need to see operations as fighting a “three-block war.”
The doctrine also warns of a long-term war, marked by the need for political and economic solutions, not just military operations.
Petraeus is making his third tour to Iraq, serving first as commander of the 101st Airborne Division during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and as the first commander of the Multinational Security Transition Command from 2004 to 2005.
The Army hasn’t named a replacement for Petraeus at Fort Leavenworth, which houses the Command and General Staff College, Center for Army Lessons Learned and a new Counterinsurgency Center.