Gen. Petraeus: ‘The Enemy Remains Lethal, Resilient, and Very Dangerous’
MR. BAY: Let’s go back to the diplomatic line of action just for a moment, if you would. I have written extensively about you and Ambassador Crocker as an example of how to operate militarily and diplomatically; use the military and diplomatic elements of power in tandem. I think you two are an exemplary job, and it’s something I’ve certainly used in my university class.
How do we take the example of you and Ambassador Crocker working together and improve unified action in the interagency process?
GENERAL PETRAEUS: Well, there have been quite a few lessons learned over here. And, first of all, let me just say that my predecessor and his ambassador, if you will, or the ambassador at that time, General George Casey and Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, very much approached this as one team, one mission.
And Ambassador Ryan Crocker — and I just cannot imagine a better diplomatic wingman than Ryan Crocker. He is truly an expert and he’s an Arabist. He has taken one tough job after another. I think you know that he came here from Pakistan. He served in all the tough missions in this region.
We were determined to strive to achieve unity of effort. We don’t achieve unity of command, obviously. I mean, I report to the commander of Central Command and then to the chairman, to the Secretary of Defense. He naturally reports to the Secretary of State.
But we were determined to achieve unity of effort, and I think that that has been accomplished. The joint campaign plan is perhaps the most important manifestation of that. Although, arguably, then actually executing that in a unified manner probably is even more important.
But you have to start with a plan, and we, in fact, did do that. We have had several joint strategic assessment teams also to help us. They have always been a mix of uniformed and diplomatic and academic and think-tank personnel.
The key, again, is, first of all, a determination to work together, to work to a common purpose. And at various levels, there has to be that same kind of working together above us.
Now, in this case, I think the empowerment, if you will, of Lieutenant General Doug Lute in the White House, as the — I think they’ve called him the War Czar, or what have you, whatever the official title is. He’s an assistant to the President for Iraq and Afghanistan. And that has, indeed, helped to focus the efforts of the interagency of all the different elements that serve in Iraq, either with the Multi-National Force – Iraq or with the U.S. Mission – Iraq, and includes intelligence agencies, the Agency for International Development, Treasury, Justice, you name it. All the different elements are here.
And, again, what Ambassador Crocker and I have sought to do is to get everyone to link arms and to make way together. And then as we push up from here, others have sought to do the same thing above us. And, again, it has been helped by this position that was created on the MNC staff working for the President in the form of Lieutenant General Doug Lute.
President David Petraeus? In the foreseeable future.
Among the few people in recent years who single-handedly changed the course of history for the better, General Petraeus would have to be at the top of the list. The entire foreign policy success or failure of the current administration (with Iraq playing such a major role) hinged on the leadership and clear vision of this one man. George W. Bush should be forever grateful to Gen. Petraeus for this.
General Petraeus, an American hero. A solid interview with a great man.
President David Petraus?
I’m all for that.
Nah ..you mean JK Rowling for President…the hack writer of repetitious childrens books voted by our media to be PERSON OF THE YEAR instead of Gen. Petraeus. And after all its the media that counts..they manufacture the candidates..as our idiotic infatuation with Obama proves.
The people who criticize this man have utterly no idea of just how intelligent and broadly read he is. An intellectual warrior who also understands diplomacy. I’m glad I took the time to read this interview. It was worthwhile.
Plus, you can tell he loves his soldiers and cares for them. His closing remarks are humble and full of that sense of comraderie that all veterans understand.
I’m wondering what Gen. Petraeus must think of Obama? Would have liked to have been a fly on the wall when Sen. Obama came to town to chat with the general. But I’m sure it will be years before we find out what transpired there. After he retires from the service.
Interesting to have the ideas of Gen Petraeus presented so clearly.
What we are seeing here, with Pajamasmedia and Col Bay’s Arena is a new media information channel, that can displace the old MSM fossil media’s bias and ignorance.
Great work!
Too many Americans, especially on the left, don’t understand how professional our military has become, and how well educated its members are – from the low ranking enlisted to the top generals. US military forces are now made up of true professionals – well selected, well educated, well motivated, brave and capable.
Thank you, Austin.
While it could never come close to being an adequate expression of gratitude for rescuing this enterprise … thank you, General Petraeus and all those who served with you.
Liberals have never questioned the performance, sacrifice, commitment, courage or quality of the military. It’s the always been about the reasoning of invading Iraq in the first place, and the only logical conclusion remains oil. That as a White house goal has also been an abject failure as the contracts and control of the oil fields has gone to China. Surge or no surge our brave men and women continue to die unnecessarily and John McCain’s notion to stay in Iraq until their deaths are justified is obscene.It was wrong to go into Iraq in 2003 and it is still wrong today.
You right wing conservatives just keep telling yourselves that we have a reason to be there and maybe some day you will start to believe it yourselves.