Interesting: Petraeus Uses “Victory” To Describe Mission In Iraq
We’re not allowed to think that we actually won the war in Iraq, even though it’s clear to any honest observer that we have. And, clearly, the architect of that victory thinks we won as well.
Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Forces throughout the Middle East, said he’s continuing talks with the White House about strategy in Afghanistan, but in the end will do whatever he’s told.
Petraeus spoke to hundreds of cadets at the Air Force Academy on Thursday, telling them his secrets to leadership. He addressed Afghanistan when one cadet asked him how he would handle a disagreement with President Barack Obama on strategy there.
“We will support the decision that is made by the president,” said Petraeus, who heads U.S. Central Command.
The general signaled that any change is more about how troops are used rather than how many are sent to battle. He addressed his strategy in Iraq during the 2007 “surge” that sent troops into cities to enforce security, clearing out insurgents ahead of rebuilding work.
“The surge was more than 30,000 extra troops,” he said. “It was a surge of ideas.”
He cited the Iraq changes, including pushing soldiers into neighborhoods, as a key to victory in Iraq. That’s starting to happen in Afghanistan, as soldiers pull out of remote areas to concentrate on securing cities and towns.
Granted, that’s not a direct quote to Petraeus, but barring a rather unbelievable misinterpretation of his comments Petraeus thinks we won in Iraq.
And, clearly, we did. Though it’s politically inconvenient for the media/left to admit as much.
