Talk about taking one for the team. Tampa to Kabul. From MacDill AFB-based, Central Command oversight to a boots-on-the-ground, hell-hole crucible.
With the announcement that Gen. David Petreaus would leave Centcom to replace the intemperately insubordinate Gen. Stanley McChrystal, President Barack Obama doubled down on a war going awry. In so doing, he made the only move he could that could help. This was beyond a face-saving gambit. It was a commander-in-chief moment. He brought in his newly designated closer, who happens to be this country’s most respected man in uniform. Who was McChrystal’s boss and mentor. And an avatar of counterinsurgency strategy.
For in Petreaus, 57, sort of a Norman Schwarzkopf with a Ph.D and a ton of political savvy, he gets instant credibility. Among the military. Among the political elites. Among allies. Among enough Afghans.
Now all Petreaus has to do is win. Actually, achieve a reasonable definition of success that permits meaningful, phased withdrawal and leaves behind a reasonable definition of a functioning government. A democracy is not required. A non-opium economy would be preferable.
If Petreaus fails, so does the Obama presidency. If Petreaus doesn’t fail, look for him to run for president.