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.
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.
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,
…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…
…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…
…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…
…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…
…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.…
…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…
…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…
…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…
…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…
…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…
…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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The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause
and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress
impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist
surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our
culture.
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it,
makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so
many people seem to be hostile to it?
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:
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:
Pingback| 3.25.10 @ 12:20PM
Petraeus Sets the Record Straight on Israel | America Watches Obama links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
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:
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:
Pingback| 3.25.10 @ 8:57PM
Heather Robinson » General Petraeus DID NOT Betray Us links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
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:
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:
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:
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:
Pingback| 3.26.10 @ 7:53PM
Political Mavens » General Petraeus DID NOT Betray Us links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
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:
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:
Pingback| 3.26.10 @ 9:40PM
Heather Robinson: General Petraeus DID NOT Betray Us links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
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