Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Petraeus on Iraq: No Exit

Question haunts congressional hearings

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 12, 2007 7:05 AM CDT

(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.

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 Committee. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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 Walsh)
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 at right.. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Senate Confirms Iraq Generals in New Jobs

Petraeus Foils Senators Seeking Exit

Petraeus: Iraq Has Stepped Up; Gains Still Fragile

Iraqi Suicide Bomber Kills at Least 33

Iraqi Police Force Should Be 'Scrapped'


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne