Spencer Ackerman: Petraeus Testimony Field Manual. An Annotated Guide...

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Petraeus Testimony Field Manual
An Annotated Guide to What the General Could Say to Congress


By Spencer Ackerman 04/04/2008

On Tuesday, Gen. David H. Petraeus will update Congress on the status of the Iraq war. The general is so respected as a military officer that his September run through the Capitol Hill gauntlet effectively deflated political opposition to continuing the war and forestalled Democratic calls for withdrawal. The surge received a congressional reprieve after his testimony.

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Here's a guide to four expected questions. Presented with each are some of Petraeus's possible options for addressing them -- and what his choice of answers could mean.

Q. Doesn't the recent uptick in violence -- including last week's Basra and Sadr City explosions -- indicate that even with the greatest amount of U.S. combat power in Iraq during the occupation, we can't keep a lid on Iraq? We've tried the surge, and the results are in. Increasing troop levels isn't an option. Why should we pause further reductions?

Potential Answer #1: "Actually, violence is still down compared to the levels experienced in the aftermath of the 2006 Samarra shrine bombing. We've known all along -- and have said -- that there was still tough fighting ahead."
Translation: Petraeus is either unwilling or unable to confront the implications of the last, best chance for the Iraq war coming up short.

Potential Answer #2: "It's true that our enemies have adjusted to our strategy. What we're doing now is making further adjustments to throw them off-balance, so we can preserve the security gains of 2007. Drawing troop levels down further will complicate that."
Translation: Petraeus wants to have an honest debate about Iraq, but he's not going to give up on the war. Don't expect many concessions.

Potential Answer #3: "I can only tell you what my military advice would be, and it's to keep troop levels as close to pre-surge levels as possible. To go beyond that is to get into a question of national strategy, which is not appropriate for a military officer."
Translation: Petraeus is not going to cover for President George W. Bush any more. He might well be looking to what assignment he'll get -- if he chooses to stay in uniform -- under a Democratic successor.


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http://www.washingtonindependent.com/view/petraeus-testimony