The American Spectator

He recognizes that substantial numbers of Americans will be over there for 9-10 years absent a change in political direction. Yet, he acknowledged that the long-run sustainability of the Army is a big concern of his.

General Odierno, a huge, bald bear of a man, was asked about a possible Democratic president who might want to draw down American forces in Iraq. The General responded that he would hope that a complete military and policy assessment would be completed before any final decisions were made. He was not asked and did not raise the issue of the trade-offs with the war in Afghanistan.

General Odierno is living proof that the U.S. Army is an institution that is capable of effective adaptation to reality, no matter how painful that process may be. At a tactical level at least, that institution has proven itself to be the exemplar of resilience. It remains to be seen if its tactical success will yield strategic success amidst the trying circumstances of Iraq.