I heard about Petraeus' forthcoming press meetings last week, but I did not expect him to be so explicit about continuing the military effort in Afghanistan beyond next July.
Maybe someone needs to remind Petraeus about what happened to McArthur a few years back, and to McCrystal just a few weeks ago.
By next summer, the public may be even less supportive of US involvement in Afghanistan.
THE GUARDIAN article
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General Petraeus insists he will not be bound by Obama's Afghan exit date
New commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan says July 2011 deadline may not be possible
General David Petraeus says he can foresee circumstances where it becomes impossible for him to recommend a reduction in forces.
The US army general, David Petraeus, made clear today that he would not be bound by Barack Obama's promise to start withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan by July next year.
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One published account of Obama's discussions on the drawdown date with Petraeus and his other top generals paints a very different picture.
According to US journalist Jonathan Alter, whose book The Promise gives an account of the Afghan war led by Obama in November last year, the US president went to great efforts not to be "boxed in" by the US military establishment that supported long-term engagement in Afghanistan.
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