Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

May 17, 2008 12:46:39 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

Back to the grid

On Iraq, Petraeus Has Bush's Ear  

Posted Apr 6, 08 1:10 PM CDT in World,  Politics    Most Covered

(newser) – George Bush and top Iraq commander David Petraeus have a close relationship unusual for wartime presidencies, the Washington Post reports. The president skips over several middlemen, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, to speak directly and regularly with Petraeus, and has fully deferred to the general on controversial Iraq decisions. But some top officials worry that the views of one man are trumping their own.

Some say Petraeus’ scope is limited, and Bush should listen to Gates and others who have “the broad view of our national security needs,” says the Senate Armed Services chair. Bush’s focus contributed to the sudden departure of Petraeus' boss last month. But onlookers say Petraeus is a gifted reporter from the field, and Gates insists his views are heard: Bush and Petraeus aren’t “backslapping buddies,” he says.

Source Washington Post

open commentscomments (0)

Editor Recommended

Petraeus' testimony this week faces campaign environment
Los Angeles Times | Apr 6, 08

Facts about Petraeus
Reuters | Apr 4, 08

Petraeus may make case for Iran war
Daily Telegraph (UK) | Apr 5, 08

Related News

  • Dems Jeer 'Iraq Victory' Anniversary

    May 1, 08 3:15 AM CDT
    Dems Jeer 'Iraq Victory' Anniversary Five years ago today, President Bush bounded out of a fighter jet onto a deck of an aircraft carrier and, under a huge "Mission Accomplished" banner, boasted to cheering troops that major combat operations in Iraq had ended. As the war drags on into its sixth year, congressional Democrats are using the anniversary to highlight the administration's "arrogant" mishandling of Iraq, Politico reports. More »

  • Bush to Shorten Iraq Tours, Halt Drawdowns

    Apr 10, 08 4:00 AM CDT
    Bush to Shorten Iraq Tours, Halt Drawdowns President Bush is expected to announce today that the drawdown of US troops in Iraq will be suspended—once forces reach their presurge level in July—because of a resurgence of fighting, reports the Washington Post. The decision, urged by Gen. David Petraeus, means the number of troops in Iraq could remain at their presurge levels until the end of the Bush presidency. More »

  • Combat Tours to Be Cut

    Apr 5, 08 5:20 AM CDT
    Combat Tours to Be Cut American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are to have their combat tours cut from 15 months to 12 beginning late this summer. The White House plans a formal announcement next week, an insider told the AP. Tours were lengthened last year to boost troop levels in Iraq, and the Army has warned that the "unsustainable" extended deployments are wearing down its soldiers. More »

  • Brits Join the Fight in Basra

    Mar 29, 08 11:27 AM CDT
    Brits Join the Fight in Basra As the Iraqi army struggles to combat militias in Basra, British troops for the first time directly joined the fight, and American forces expanded their bombing beyond the militia stronghold. The Brits, who had previously provided only logistical and air support to the Iraqis, fired on an insurgent mortar team in Bosra, the Telegraph reports. Moqtada al-Sadr, meanwhile, told his soldiers not to surrender their weapons.
    More »

  • New US Mideast Commander Installed

    Mar 29, 08 8:58 AM CDT
    New US Mideast Commander Installed A new commander has taken temporary charge of US military operations in the Mideast, after a quiet ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida yesterday. Lt. Gen Martin Dempsey will run CentCom while the administration seeks a permanent replacement for Adm. William Fallon, who quit abruptly earlier this month amid media reports that he was opposed to President Bush's policy on Iran, the St. Petersburg Times reports. More »

On Iraq, Petraeus Has Bush's Ear
George W. Bush meets with Gen. David H. Petraeus, left, Commander of the Multi-National Force, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
On Iraq, Petraeus Has Bush's Ear
President Bush, right, stands with Gen. David Petraeus as he arrives for a surprise visit at Al-Asad Airbase in Anbar province, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 3, 2007. The president made an unannounced visit to...   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
On Iraq, Petraeus Has Bush's Ear
President Bush, right, is welcomed by Gen. David Petraeus as he arrives at Al-Asad Airbase in Anbar province, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 3, 2007.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
On Iraq, Petraeus Has Bush's Ear
Gen. David Petraeus salutes President Bush as he prepares to board Air Force One after visiting Central Command, Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.   (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
On Iraq, Petraeus Has Bush's Ear
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, listens as President Bush makes a statement to reporters at Al-Asad Airbase in Anbar province, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 3, 2007.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
On Iraq, Petraeus Has Bush's Ear
George Bush, left, walks down the stairs with Gen. David Petraeus, center, Commander of the Multi-National Force, and Condoleezza Rice, following their meeting Jan. 12, 2008 in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
On Iraq, Petraeus Has Bush's Ear
Gen. David H. Petraeus, Commander of the Multi-National Force, listens to US President George W. Bush speak to members of the media, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008 in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
prev   next
play

Threads (1 of 3)

Tags

George W. Bush  • Iraq war  • Bush administration  • US military  • David Petraeus  • Robert Gates  • military strategy


Loading...

Loading...

Related Threads: Troop Surge in Iraq, President Bush, Iraq Exit Strategy

Next story from this section »

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Politics Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »