Gen. David H. Petraeus, who appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 22, was confirmed to lead CentCom July 10. CHRIS MADDALONI / STAFF (Photo from The Air Force Times)Petraeus Confronts His Next Challenge: Afghanistan
-- McClatchy Washington Bureau
-- McClatchy Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Army Gen. David Petraeus , the commander who's been hailed for bringing stability to Iraq , became the 11th head of the U.S. Central Command on Friday, tasked with reshaping military efforts in America's other war, Afghanistan .
Petraeus took command from Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey , who'd been the acting Centcom commander for seven months after Adm. William Fallon was forced to resign.
While violence in Iraq has dropped to some of the lowest levels since the war began, it's increasing in Afghanistan . U.S. troop deaths are at their lowest levels in Iraq but at their highest in Afghanistan , where the Taliban continues to operate from its refuge in neighboring Pakistan . Some believe that the Taliban is trying to encircle the Afghan capital of Kabul .
Petraeus has called the war in Afghanistan , now in its seventh year, America's "longest campaign."
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My Comment: Petraeus's remark .... "America's longest campaign" .... is on the money.