My Journey with General David Petraeus and the Remaking of the Iraq War

In 2007, I was a young journalist embedded with the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq. The war was at a tipping point, and the future of the country hung in the balance. At this critical juncture, I was given the opportunity to accompany General David Petraeus, the newly appointed commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, on a tour of the country.

Over the course of several days, I traveled with Petraeus as he met with Iraqi leaders, soldiers, and civilians. I witnessed firsthand his leadership style, his vision for the future of Iraq, and the challenges he faced in implementing his plans.

Surge: My Journey with General David Petraeus and the Remaking of the Iraq War (The Yale Library of Military History)

by Peter R. Mansoor

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Language	:	English
File size	:	6187 KB
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Petraeus was a charismatic and inspiring leader. He had a clear vision for how to end the war and rebuild Iraq, and he was determined to succeed. He was also a master of public relations, and he used his media appearances to rally support for his plans.

However, Petraeus also faced significant challenges. The war in Iraq was deeply unpopular at home and abroad, and there was widespread skepticism about whether it could be won. Petraeus also had to contend with a hostile Iraqi government, a sectarian insurgency, and a growing number of Iranian-backed militias.

Despite the challenges, Petraeus made significant progress in his first year in Iraq. He implemented a new counterinsurgency strategy that focused on protecting the population and building relationships with local leaders. He also increased the number of U.S. troops in Iraq and stepped up pressure on the insurgents.

As a result of Petraeus' efforts, the security situation in Iraq began to improve. The number of insurgent attacks declined, and the Iraqi government was able to extend its authority into areas that had previously been controlled by the insurgents.

However, the war in Iraq was far from over. The sectarian divide between Sunni and Shia Muslims remained a major challenge, and the Iranian-backed militias continued to pose a threat. Petraeus also faced increasing pressure from the Obama administration to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq.

In 2011, Petraeus was recalled to Washington to become the director of the CIA. He was succeeded in Iraq by General Ray Odierno. Odierno continued to implement Petraeus' counterinsurgency strategy, and the security situation in Iraq continued to improve.

However, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011 created a vacuum that was quickly filled by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). ISIS quickly seized control of large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria, and the country was plunged back into chaos.

The rise of ISIS was a major setback for the United States and its allies. It also cast a shadow over Petraeus' legacy in Iraq. However, Petraeus remains a respected figure in the military and intelligence communities, and his counterinsurgency strategy continues to be studied by military planners around the world.

My journey with General David Petraeus in Iraq was a transformative experience. I witnessed firsthand the challenges and complexities of war, and I learned a great deal about leadership and the power of hope. Petraeus was a flawed figure, but he was also a brilliant strategist and a dedicated public servant. His legacy in Iraq is complex and contested, but there is no doubt that he played a major role in shaping the course of the war.

Alt Attributes

* General David Petraeus meeting with Iraqi leaders * Petraeus speaking to U.S. soldiers in Iraq * A U.S. soldier patrolling the streets of Iraq * Iraqi civilians celebrating the end of the war * The rise of ISIS in Iraq

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My Journey with General David Petraeus and the Remaking of the Iraq War: A First-Hand Account of the Challenges and Complexities of War

Surge: My Journey with General David Petraeus and the Remaking of the Iraq War (The Yale Library of Military History)

by Peter R. Mansoor

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6187 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	398 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE