Petraeus Unanimously Confirmed for Afghan Service
General David Petraeus has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate to run the war in Afghanistan:
Petraeus — heralded for his time as commander of operations in Iraq — leaves his post as the head of U.S. Central Command and is expected to be in Kabul as soon as Friday. Obama's selection of the popular general credited with the success of the "surge" strategy in Iraq is viewed by many as an affirmation of the President's commitment to combat in Afghanistan, which became America's longest military engagement earlier this month.
The 99-0 vote showed just how respected Petraeus is, from the most conservative war supporters to its liberal critics.
Petraeus replaces McChrystal, who was relieved of his duties June 23 by Obama after an article in Rolling Stone magazine revealed the general had made disparaging remarks about top White House officials and strategic foreign allies such as France.
Underneath the initial media firestorm surrounding the incendiary remarks, however, were serious questions raised over the American approach to engagement in Afghanistan and the counterinsurgency methods embraced by McChrystal prioritizing the reduction of civilian casualties.
"General Petraeus is clearly qualified for this position and, accordingly, I voted in favor of his confirmation," said Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.), a leading war critic. "But regardless of who is in command, the president’s current strategy in Afghanistan is counterproductive. We should set a flexible timetable for responsibly drawing down U.S. troops, not just a start date, so that we can pursue a sustainable, global campaign against al Qaeda and its affiliates.
