adminWednesday as he prepares to take over as CIA chief, leaving behind an uncertain legacy in Afghanistan.
Petraeus, 58, made his mark on the US force in the post-9/11 era, but history’s verdict on his time as commander in both Iraq and Afghanistan remains an open question.
At a retirement ceremony featuring honour guards and martial music, Petraeus thanked the troops who served him but issued a veiled warning against budget cuts that could undercut the force he helped shape. Amid “difficult” budget decisions, Petraeus said it was imperative to build a force “that maintains the versatility and flexibility that have been developed in the past decade in particular.”
The 101st Airborne Division paratrooper, who rewrote the Army’s manual for counter-insurgency, embodies the military’s transformation since 9/11 as it shifted away from conventional warfare.
His ideas have shaped a new generation of officers, who embraced the model of a lighter, more agile force working closely with intelligence agencies. – AFP.
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