David Petraeus

Washington, DC — Senator Hillary Clinton today urged General David Petraeus to refocus efforts on Afghanistan to combat threats facing America’s national security. During a Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing to consider the nominations of General David Petraeus to be Commander US Central Command and Lt. General Raymond Odierno to be Commander Multi-National Force Iraq, Senator Clinton voiced her concern that efforts in Afghanistan had gone astray and pressed General Petraeus on whether more troops are needed to achieve the mission there.

Canadian troops carry a wounded Afghan man: Photo by Pierre Gazzola (CC)    » read more »

10 April 2008 -- Lawmakers have pressed the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, about the duration of the U.S. military presence in Iraq, and political progress by the Iraqi government. Two men faced a second day of questions on Capitol Hill, this time before House of Representatives committees.

Soldiers descending a staircase: U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Andrew M. Rodier

Petraeus and Crocker essentially repeated lengthy statements they delivered Tuesday to U.S. Senate committees.

Each was pressed for answers about the future U.S. commitment to Iraq, capabilities of Iraqi forces, as well as strains on the military and the U.S. economy.    » read more »

10 April 2008 -- U.S. officials say President Bush plans to announce Thursday a reduction in U.S. Army combat tours in Iraq from 15 months to 12 months.

The officials say the move is meant to ease the strain of extended deployments on the U.S. military. It will bring U.S. Army rotations back to what they were before last year's U.S. troop surge in Iraq.

Soldiers cover each other while on patrol southeast of Salman Pak, Iraq, Feb. 15, 2008: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Timothy Kingston

The shorter deployments will apply to troops sent to Iraq beginning in August, but not to troops already there.

President Bush is due to announce the move in a speech outlining his future Iraq policy.    » read more »

April 8, 2008 -- With General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testifying before Congress today and tomorrow, John McCain and his campaign continue to put politics ahead of a responsible way forward in Iraq. Instead of outlining his plan for the future, explaining whether his vision of a 100 year troop presence in Iraq includes permanent bases there,
Iraqi National Police and U.S. Army Soldiers conduct a search for weapons caches and insurgent activity in Saydiah: A province in the Al Rashid district of Baghdad, Iraq, March 20, 2008. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Greg Pierot)    » read more »

April 8, 2008 -- John McCain has said we should listen to the generals on the ground in Iraq--including General Petreaus--who he calls "one of the greatest generals in American history." But in truth, McCain has refused to say if he agrees with General Petreaus' comment that "no one" believes "there has been sufficient progress by any means in the area of national reconciliation" and recently declared, "I don't care what anybody says. I've seen the facts on the ground."

Support the troops - bring them home now sign: Photo by Monique Rhea (CC)    » read more »

Warns Administration Against Negotiating Long-Term Commitment Without Approval By Congress

April 8, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton questioned General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker on the situation in Iraq today at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. She challenged the supposed success of the President’s troop surge, noting the lack of substantive political progress in the country.

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April 8, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on testimony today of General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the war in Iraq:

“It is clear from today’s testimony by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker that the Iraqi government remains unwilling or unable to take the steps necessary to reach the political reconciliation needed to secure their country’s future.

“General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker made it official that the Bush Administration will not reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq below pre-surge levels. That is not a policy that appropriately reflect the enormous costs of the war in Iraq, nor what the American people want.    » read more »

08 April 2008 -- The top U.S. military commander in Iraq, and the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad, face another day of questions from members of Congress Wednesday. House of Representatives lawmakers will press them on their assessment of progress in Iraq and the need for an ongoing commitment of U.S. troops.

General David Petraeus and President George W. Bush: Photo courtesy White House

Testifying on Tuesday before the Senate armed services and foreign relations committees, Iraq commander General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker described progress in Iraq as fragile and reversible.    » read more »

United States Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing (As Prepared for Delivery)

April 8, 2008 -- "I join in welcoming Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus to the Senate Armed Services Committee. I know I join with most Americans in expressing appreciation for the courage and dedication of our brave mean and women serving in Iraq under difficult and dangerous circumstances.

Two AH-64D Apache attack helicopters from 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division at Camp Taji, Iraq: U.S. Army photo by CW4 Daniel McClinton, 1-227th, 1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs (CC)    » read more »

April 8, 2008 -- "Welcome General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker. Thank you for joining us today, and thank you for your service to our nation. Please express our deep gratitude to the brave men and women serving in Iraq both in our armed forces and in the civilian agencies of our government.

U.S. Army Sgt. provides security during a cordon and search of a factory in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, April 1, 2008: U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon Maybush, 320th Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Richard Del Vecchio.    » read more »

07 April 2008 -- The top coalition commander in Iraq and the U.S. ambassador will testify to four congressional committees in Washington Tuesday and Wednesday to give an update on the security and political situations, and offer their expectations for the next six months.

General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker will likely report significant progress by Iraq's security forces and government since their last testimony in September.

General David Petraeus

But they are also expected to say the progress is fragile, and that more time is needed with a substantial number of U.S. troops in place to continue trying to move Iraq toward stability.    » read more »

03 April 2008 -- Congressional Democrats are warning U.S. Iraq commander General David Petraeus, and the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, not to attempt to minimize the seriousness of the situation in Iraq when they testify to Congress next week.

A few days before General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker appear before House and Senate committees to deliver their latest update on Iraq, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi makes clear what she hopes they will not say.

In a news conference together with the chairmen of the House committees on Armed Services and Foreign Affairs, she refers to the recent fighting in Iraq's southern port city of Basra, saying Petraeus and Crocker should not attempt to put a positive spin on events.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2008 – The Multinational Force Iraq commander will stay where he is for the time being, and no decision has been made to shorten tour lengths for Army personnel in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during a Pentagon news conference today.

President Bush wants Army Gen. David H. Petraeus to stay “right where he is at least through late fall and maybe the end of the year,” Gates said.

The secretary’s statement puts to rest media speculation that Petraeus would move to another four-star command.    » read more »

January 12, 2008 -- Q -- (inaudible) --    » read more »

12/13/2007 -- "We join the people of Iraq in strongly condemning yesterday’s barbaric attack targeting the citizens of al Amarah in the Maysan Province. The United States extends its deepest condolences, support and prayers to the people of Maysan Province.

The Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team and Multi-National Division South East are working closely with Iraqi authorities to ensure they have sufficient medical supplies and humanitarian assistance for the citizens of al Amarah. We stand ready to provide additional support as needed.    » read more »