David Petraeus testifies during his confirmation hearing to become commander of US forces in Afghanistan. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/ReutersNo Real Change Coming To Afghan ROE Or Tactical Directive: Petraeus -- Defense Tech
Incoming Afghan commander Gen. David Petraeus told senators today at his confirmation hearing that he has no intention of changing the rules of engagement or the “tactical directive,” which guides the use of air strikes, put in place by his predecessor.
What he will do is ensure that those rules are being uniformly applied by commanders in the field and that overly cautious officers at various levels are not imposing their own maximalist interpretation of the ROE and directive, and thus slowing the responsiveness of fire support when troops’ lives are on the line. “We have to be absolutely certain that the implementation of ROE and tactical directive is consistent across the force.”
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More News On Afghanistan's Rules Of Engagement
Petraeus Pledges Look at Firepower in Afghanistan -- New York Times
Petraeus says he will review Afghanistan rules of engagement -- Washington Times
Petraeus: Strategy won't change, but rules of engagement might -- Stars And Stripes
Afghanistan war: General Petraeus rethinking rules of engagement -- Christian Science Monitor
Petraeus would study uses of U.S. force if confirmed -- USA Today
Petraeus: I’ll Change Afghanistan’s Rules of War -- The Danger Room
The Side Effects of the Afghanistan Rules of Engagement -- Captain's Journal
My Comment: When it comes to rules of engagement in Afghanistan, the Captain's Journal has been one of the best in analyzing and dissecting the consequences (and ramifications) of such rules.
As to the question .... will the rules of engagement change if Petraeus is in charge? Everyone is saying yes with the exception of Defense Tech. As to who is right .... that is an easy question .... it is Defense Tech.
Defense Tech quotes Petraeus accurately .... that he has no intention of changing the rules of engagement or the “tactical directive,” which guides the use of air strikes, put in place by his predecessor.
Instead .... the rules will be applied uniformly, and commanders will not be permitted to implement their own maximalist interpretation of the ROE and directive
Sighhhh .... if this is the case .... nothing substantially is going to change.