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Earlier today, I had the chance to ask Gen. David Petraeus to respond to the recent debate over his position on how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict affects the broader U.S. objectives in the region. A number of blog and media reports have suggested that Petraeus is increasingly concerned that failure to resolve the conflict, and the perception in the Arab world that the U.S. is too reflexively pro-Israel, is significantly jeopardizing U.S. objectives in the region — and even putting American troops in greater danger. I plan to write more on this, but first I wanted to post the video of my full exchange with Petraeus, which occurred during a press conference prior to his Wednesday appearance at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. If you aren’t familiar with the story, here’s the post on Foreign Policy’s website that started the controversy, which Petraeus told me was wrong in all the key respects. And here’s the Max Boot post from Commentary that Petraeus told me accurately reflects his position.

View all comments (71) |

Benson| 3.25.10 @ 1:26AM

I love General Petraeus but he could never be a politician. That was 6 minutes and 50 seconds for about a minute answer. I thought he was going to start explaining the history of Africa Command for a moment.

Sarah Baynes| 3.25.10 @ 6:34AM

Petraeus for PResident. He says "Gosh". What a refreshing word in light of all the vocabulary vulgarity in our world.

Pingback| 3.25.10 @ 6:38AM

Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Petraeus Says Reports A links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…petraeus spectator Tags #tcot Topsy Retweet Button Add Topsy Retweet Button to your Blog or Web Site. WordPress  Web Sites 5 tweets tweet The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Petraeus Says Reports About His Stance on Israel Were "Flat Wrong" spectator.org/blog/2010/03/25/petraeus-says-reports-about-hi – view page – cached Earlier today, I had the chance to ask Gen. David…

HJK| 3.25.10 @ 8:56AM

This hits the left in their Israel-hating soft spot and is a real service in clearing up the General's position.
This is a great man, and I use the word with care.
I believe his strong statement that he will not run.
But the ball remains in the GOP leadership court.
This is a Cinncinatus moment in history. The nation needs him. An appeal must be made to
him when the time is right just as it was to Eiseenhower who also was reluctant to run.
He may remain firm but we have to try and try
again. The prospect of another three years of Obama is bad enough. But adding another four
on top of it is too terrible to contemplate for what ever is left of our freedom by then.
General I believe you. But please when the
options run out for the party please reconsider.
Until then we should indeed respect his decision
as final. But as the nation hangs in the balance
we won't worry about flip-flopped positions,

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Pingback| 3.25.10 @ 10:41AM

Wonk Room » Petraeus Explains The Reality Of Middle East ‘Linkage’ links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…something that influences our area.” While noting that he had not made any specific reference to the stalled peace process endangering American lives, Petraeus affirmed that “ it does make situations more challenging, particularly for moderate leaders” in the Middle East: If you go to moderate leaders in the Arab world, they will tell you that the lack of progress in the Middle East peace…

Pingback| 3.25.10 @ 12:20PM

Petraeus Sets the Record Straight on Israel | America Watches Obama links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Petraeus made the remarks in response to a question by TAS at a press briefing held prior to a scheduled appearance St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. (Watch video of the full exchange here.) To start with, Petraeus said he never requested to have the West Bank and Gaza added to his responsibilities as leader of the military’s Central Command. He said that “every year or so” commanders…

Pingback| 3.25.10 @ 6:25PM

Matthew Duss: Petraeus Explains The Reality Of Middle East ‘Linkage’ « Read NEWS links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…responsibility, and that he had made any specific reference to the stalled peace process endangering American lives, Petraeus affirmed that the lack of progress toward a resolution “ does make situations more challenging, particularly for moderate leaders” in the Middle East: If you go to moderate leaders in the Arab world, they will tell you that the lack of progress in the Middle East peace process…

Pingback| 3.25.10 @ 6:27PM

Matthew Duss: Petraeus Explains The Reality Of Middle East ‘Linkage’ links to this page.

Pingback| 3.25.10 @ 6:30PM

Matthew Duss: Petraeus Explains The Reality Of Middle East ‘Linkage’ | Twitmerlin - N links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…responsibility, and that he had made any specific reference to the stalled peace process endangering American lives, Petraeus affirmed that the lack of progress toward a resolution “ does make situations more challenging, particularly for moderate leaders” in the Middle East: If you go to moderate leaders in the Arab world, they will tell you that the lack of progress in the Middle East peace process…

Pingback| 3.25.10 @ 8:57PM

Heather Robinson » General Petraeus DID NOT Betray Us links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…he meant, and called reports that he had said anything about Israel jeopardizing the lives of U.S. troops “flat wrong.” Best of all, Klein taped the general’s response. You can watch it here.  With humility, I would paraphrase the general’s statement to have been that perception of a viable peace process that is moving forward is helpful to him in working with moderate Arab leaders.…

Pingback| 3.26.10 @ 6:00AM

Petraeus Explains the Reality of Middle East ‘Linkage’ | Star Talk FM - with Rob Simo links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…tο tһе stalled concord process endangering American lives, Petraeus affirmed tһаt tһе lack οf progress toward a resolution “ ԁοеѕ mаkе situations more challenging, particularly fοr moderate leaders” іח tһе Middle East: If уου ɡο tο moderate leaders іח tһе Arab…

Pingback| 3.26.10 @ 8:18AM

Petraeus Explains the Reality of Middle East ‘Linkage’ | Blog News Web - Updated Ever links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…tο tһе stalled peace process endangering American lives, Petraeus affirmed tһаt tһе lack οf progress headed fοr a pledge “ ԁοеѕ mаkе situations more challenging, above аƖƖ fοr moderate leaders” іח tһе Midpoint East: If уου ɡο tο moderate leaders іח…

Pingback| 3.26.10 @ 7:29PM

Heather Robinson: General Petraeus DID NOT Betray Us | Twitmerlin - News, Celebs Goss links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…scene in the wake of the controversy surrounding remarks that it turns out were never made by General David Petraeus about Israel allegedly endangering the lives of U.S. service members. Thanks to excellent reporting by The American Spectator’s Philip Klein and (according to none other than the General himself) excellent analysis by Max Boot of Commentary magazine, we know exactly what the general did…

Pingback| 3.26.10 @ 7:31PM

Heather Robinson: General Petraeus DID NOT Betray Us | Top Feeds News links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…scene in the wake of the controversy surrounding remarks that it turns out were never made by General David Petraeus about Israel allegedly endangering the lives of U.S. service members. Thanks to excellent reporting by The American Spectator’s Philip Klein and (according to none other than the General himself) excellent analysis by Max Boot of Commentary magazine, we know exactly what the general did…

Pingback| 3.26.10 @ 7:53PM

Political Mavens » General Petraeus DID NOT Betray Us links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…meant, and called reports that he had said anything about Israel jeopardizing the “lives” of U.S. troops “flat wrong.” Klein taped the general’s response. You can watch it here.  Essentially, the general submitted a lengthy report detailing many factors influencing his job in the middle east. Israel-bashing “critics” pulled out of context a few sentences from a…

Pingback| 3.26.10 @ 8:12PM

Heather Robinson: General Petraeus DID NOT Betray Us | Blog All Over The World.com links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…scene in the wake of the controversy surrounding remarks that it turns out were never made by General David Petraeus about Israel allegedly endangering the lives of U.S. service members. Thanks to excellent reporting by The American Spectator's Philip Klein and (according to none other than the General himself) excellent analysis by Max Boot of Commentary magazine, we know exactly what the general did say, and…

Pingback| 3.26.10 @ 9:12PM

Heather Robinson: General Petraeus DID NOT Betray Us | Best Breaking News links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…scene in the wake of the controversy surrounding remarks that it turns out were never made by General David Petraeus about Israel allegedly endangering the lives of U.S. service members. Thanks to excellent reporting by The American Spectator’s Philip Klein and (according to none other than the General himself) excellent analysis by Max Boot of Commentary magazine, we know exactly what the general did…

Pingback| 3.26.10 @ 9:40PM

Heather Robinson: General Petraeus DID NOT Betray Us links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…scene in the wake of the controversy surrounding remarks that it turns out were never made by General David Petraeus about Israel allegedly endangering the lives of U.S. service members. Thanks to excellent reporting by The American Spectator’s Philip Klein and (according to none other than the General himself) excellent analysis by Max Boot of Commentary magazine, we know exactly what the general did…

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More Blog Posts by Philip Klein

http://spectator.org/blog/2010/03/25/petraeus-says-reports-about-hi

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