Perhaps it’s time Congress heard from military leaders other than Gen. Petraeus:
NEWSWEEK has learned that a separate internal report being prepared by a Pentagon working group will âdiffer substantiallyâ from Petraeusâs recommendations, according to an official who is privy to the ongoing discussions but would speak about them only on condition of anonymity. An early version of the report, which is currently being drafted and is expected to be completed by the beginning of next year, will ârecommend a very rapid reduction in American forces: as much as two-thirds of the existing force very quickly, while keeping the remainder there.â The strategy will involve unwinding the still large U.S. presence in big forward operation bases and putting smaller teams in outposts. âThere is interest at senior levels [of the Pentagon] in getting alternative viewsâ to Petraeus, the official said. Among others, Centcom commander Admiral William Fallon is known to want to draw down faster than Petraeus.
Yesterday, Petraeus testified that Adm. Fallon and the Joint Chiefs support his recommendations. Why take his word for it?
