Word: iraqi
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...recent farewell banquet hosted by Iraqi government officials for General David Petraeus, an aide to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki lauded the U.S. military chief's efforts to help bring violence down to levels not seen since early 2004. "We appreciate what you've done, General," the aide recalls saying, "but there's another American General who would be warmly and immediately embraced by all Iraqis, one who would help us even more...
...Thus far, the Pentagon has authorized only a modest withdrawal, planning to bring home 8,000 troops by February, leaving behind some 138,000. Further troop withdrawals will be influenced by events on the ground, and also by the outcome of the U.S. presidential elections. Iraqi officials want all U.S. troops out by 2011. Republican presidential candidate John McCain has refused to set a timetable, while his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, has pledged to withdraw all U.S. combat troops within 16 months of taking office...
...will fall to Odierno to oversee the implementation of the new agreement and the gradual drawdown of U.S. troops from Iraq as they hand over control to Iraqi security forces. "This struggle is theirs to win," Odierno said. But doubts remain as to whether they can. Odierno's No. 2, Lieut. General Lloyd Austin, said on Monday that he wasn't "sure that pushing [Iraqi security forces] forward is the right thing that we want...
...streets of Baghdad and other cities, there is mounting discontent over the poor delivery of such basic services such as water and electricity. The resentment is fueling growing apathy toward the political process and alienation from the government. Few Iraqis are hopeful that upcoming provincial elections will help improve their lot. Likewise, the change of U.S. command doesn't mean much to some Iraqis. "General Petraeus, General Odierno - what difference does it make to me?" said one Iraqi working near the U.S. military base where the handover ceremony took place. Maybe he, too, was waiting for General Electric...
During his earlier tours in Iraq, Odierno was known for his aggressive tactics rooting out insurgents. While critics at the time accused him of alienating Iraqi civilians in the process, he won praise under Petraeus for taking a more nuanced tack, particularly in dealing with Sunni tribal leaders. In 2003, Odierno was commander of the 4th Infantry Division, which found and captured Saddam Hussein in his underground bunker...