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July 9, 2008 11:18:53 AM CDT

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Petraeus on Iraq: No Exit

Posted Sep 12, 07 7:05 AM CDT in World,  Politics,  US    Editor's Choice

(Newser) – When David Petraeus led the 101st Airborne into Iraq in 2003, he made a rhetorical request: "Tell me how this ends." That question hung in the air during 2 days of testimony before Congress. McClatchy's Newspapers' Warren Strobel summarizes press sentiment when he concludes that the general failed to answer it.

The Washington Post's Karen DeYoung says the message was only of lower expectations and small seeds of progress. The Los Angeles Times concludes the testimony  failed to win over skeptical lawmakers. But the Christian Science Monitor says Petraeus has reset the Iraqi clock—potentially giving Iraqis time for reconciliation.

Source McClatchy Newspapers

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U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, right, accompanied by Gen. David Petraeus, testifies on the future course of the war in Iraq, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations...   (Associated Press)
Gen. David Petraeus testifies on the future course of the war in Iraq, while appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan...   (Associated Press)
Gen. David Petraeus testifies on the future course of the war in Iraq, before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, on Capitol Hill in Washington as Ambassador Ryan Crocker listens...   (Associated Press)
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Iraq  • Congress  • David Petraeus  • troop surge  • Ryan Crocker  • Chuck Hagel  • John Warner  • testimony  • Bill Nelson  • Lindsey Graham


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