Petraeus to Modify Afghanistan Rules of Engagement, Source Says

[Robert DAH Bruce]

Source: foxnews.com

A military source close to Gen. David Petraeus says one of the first things the general will do when he takes over in Afghanistan is to modify the controversial rules of engagement to make it easier for U.S. troops to engage in combat with the enemy.

Troops on the ground and some military commanders have said the strict rules -- aimed at preventing civilian casualties -- have effectively forced the troops to fight with one hand tied behind their backs.

At a news conference at the Pentagon Thursday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said Petraeus will have the flexibility to make tactical changes. But he said that does necessarily mean changes will be made.

President Obama said Wednesday after he accepted Gen. Stanley McChrystal's resignation in the wake of a magazine article in which he and his staff were critical of the administration that the change-up does not represent a shift in war strategy.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06/25/petraeus-modify-afghanistan-rules-engagement-source-says/

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So, let's review: We're in transit from a commander who bitched about the President but carried out his orders to one who'll just change the game-plan without talking to Rolling Stone.

Or the Commander-in-Chief.

Great. Just fucking great.

[BeFree]

1. History repeats

Back in the 70's they said we could have won in Viet Nam if we'd just let our soldiers not be managed from DC.

Same shit, different day.

We are gonna 'win' this war the same we won in Viet Nam.

[Robb]

2. Red meat, courtesy Fox News.

...Really?

Let's remember, the media has only one kind of story at the moment: anything meant to embolden the right and divide the left.

...Shall we review how this unattributed piece from our most trusted friends at Murdoch, Inc. fits that mold? :D

[sandnsea]

3. Yep, they want to go on Falujah mode

That's why McChrystal was bitching and that's why they said the war was unwinnable.

Hopefully the source was just speaking out his ass and doesn't know what Petraeus will do, because this surely isn't a good idea.

[Oregone]

4. Lets play REBRAND THE WAR!

[freebrew]

5. So, we weren't killing enough

civilians?

Hint: this war IS unwinnable.

[JDPriestly]

6. We have not heard the whole story on this.

We are hearing "for public consumption" version.

I have wondered to whom the guy who leaked so much to Wikileaks was an aide. I think we may yet find out.

Or more likely figure out.

Not that Wikileaks will ever actually release the information it claims to have. But the Rolling Stone article, the fuss over, the whole scene is mysteriously timed with regard to other things that are happening like leaks that the current strategy in Afghanistan hasn't worked, leaks that we have killed a lot of civilians while pretending to pursue a policy of pacification with minimal force, a number of such leaks, all embarrassing to the McChrystal command no matter how good a commander he was.

[elias49]

7. Well that's pretty confusing...

"Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said Petraeus will be able to make tactical changes. But he said that does not necessarily mean changes will be made..."

How about "Patraeus will be able to SUGGEST tactical changes"?

Lousy reporting aside, it makes me wonder WHO'S IN CHARGE?? Really.