Can Petraeus deliver in Afghanistan?

David Petraeus, one of America's most senior and best-known generals, is preparing to take over in Afghanistan. What effect will switching the top job have on the current counter-insurgency strategy?

The nomination of General David Petraeus to take over as commander of Nato's international security assistance Force (ISAF) in place of the sacked General Stanley McChrystal, was the only sensible option available to President Barack Obama.

As commanding general of the multinational force in Iraq from 2007 to 2008, he is widely credited with having led the successful military surge that allowed real progress in stabilising the country, and a phased withdrawal of foreign troops.

As commander of US Central Command (CentCom), he has been in the chain of command between Gen McChrystal and the White House for US national operations in Afghanistan, which are distinct from Nato operations and are directed more specifically at ousting terrorism through the use of special forces and other discreet capabilities.

International standing

He has the international stature and profile to allow Mr Obama to repair a situation that is quite dreadful in its timing. Afghan and allied forces are on the brink of an operation to tackle the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar, the second city of Afghanistan. This is seen globally as the next stage of the campaign that began with Operation Moshtarak in Helmand, and which could be defining in confirming progress towards the handover of security to Afghan forces and eventual withdrawal of foreign troops.

For Gen Petraeus, 57, this is a demotion of post if not of rank. As head of CentCom, he is in charge of all US military operations from Afghanistan through the Gulf and Saudi Arabia to Somalia and Egypt in the West.

Gen Petraeus is a masterful political general. He is highly articulate and adept at judging and communicating with an international audience. In this respect, he is very different from Gen McChrystal who majors on the rough, tough and blunt as the Rolling Stone article captures.

With his own experience of Iraq and his association with Afghanistan, he is likely to run with the McChrystal plan as Mr Obama intends. It will be important, however, for the plan to develop to cope with outcomes that are unlikely to conform to expectations. Gen Petraeus is known to be uncomfortable with the July 2011 deadline that President Obama presented as the beginning of withdrawal. ...

via BBC News - Can Petraeus deliver in Afghanistan?.