Petraeus: Diplomacy, Not Force, With Iran

[dubyaD40web]

Source: Washington Post

Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, President Bush's nominee to lead U.S. forces in the Middle East and Central Asia, supports continued U.S. engagement with international and regional partners to find the right mix of diplomatic, economic and military leverage to address the challenges posed by Iran.

In written answers to questions posed by the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he will testify today, Petraeus said the possibility of military action against Iran should be retained as a "last resort." But he said the United States "should make every effort to engage by use of the whole of government, developing further leverage rather than simply targeting discrete threats."

Petraeus's views echoed those expressed by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who this month said that talks with Iran could be useful if the right combination of incentives and pressures could be developed.

Despite President Bush's repeated commitment to diplomacy to resolve problems with Iran -- including its activities in Iraq, an alleged nuclear weapons program and support for terrorist groups -- some lawmakers and U.S. allies remain concerned that military action is being contemplated.



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/21/AR2008052103007.html

[bdamomma]

1. I do not trust Petreaus not at all.

[bhikkhu]

12. I don't either, but tend to to think he is telling the truth

as far as his best judgment might be considered truth.

The narrative of the past couple of weeks has placed Obama squarely against the WH and the repugs on the issue of diplomacy or not with Iran. Petreaus just sided with Obama, and against the his commander in chief and his political party.

[saigon68]

16. Betrayus need s to take his Tongue out of

Bushes Naughty places

[C_U_L8R]

2. Pea-Traeus

the appeaser

[bdamomma]

3. and he is supposed to be nominated today I think.

that is a big mistake, why didn't the Congress get Admiral Fallon in testimony and let him spill the beans.

[Brundle_Fly]

4. K&R

for appeasement.

[xchrom]

5. hmmmph. -- we'll see.

the surge isn't what you could call a success -- and that's petraeus's baby -- we'll see if he stands by this.

[Phred42]

6. If you beleive that HE beleives that

I have this bridge..........

[shadowknows69]

7. Can we get that in writing

And no invisible ink please.

[ohio2007]

8. scrub yet another June invasion of Iran

[LynnTheDem]

9. "possibility of military action against Iran should be retained as a last resort"...against what???

Has Iran been attacking American shores again??! Damned American "media", I didn't hear a thing about it!

[dipsydoodle]

10. WTF

does "military leverage" mean ?

[Beausoleil]

11. He's an APPEASER!

He APPEASES!
That's what he does!
He's for APPEASMENT!

He's the APPEASINGEST APPEASER of all the APPEASING APPEASERS!

[ckramer]

13. It just means the ammunition is not in place yet!

Get ready for the Obtober surprise!

[hokies4ever]

14. his testimony seemed to suggest that he was okay with force against Iran

[Bush_MUST_Go]

15. Is that the same 'last resort' bush talked about before he destroyed Iraq?

[gratuitous]

18. Yeah, the "last resort" will be reached quite quickly

"Disarm unilaterally and let us occupy you! No? Well, we tried to negotiate, but Iran would have none of it. We had to glass the country."

[Supersedeas]

17. appeaser!?!

[classysassy]

19. The generals

love war,its their business,and business is good.Mr and Mrs America please keep freedom alive,keep sending your kids(cannonfodder).SUPPORT THE TROOPS.