Afghanistan is a test of wills, and the enemy has to know the United States and its allies have the will to prevail, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus said before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday.
The testimony was part of the confirmation process for Petraeus, President Barack Obama’s nominee to replace Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal as commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
The general also has been nominated to succeed McChrystal as commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, a position that requires a separate confirmation process through NATO channels. Petraeus currently is commander of U.S. Central Command.
By Michael D. Shear, William Branigin and Ernesto Londoño
President Obama on Wednesday fired Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal as commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan and replaced him with Gen. David H. Petraeus, a White House official said.
Obama's move came shortly after McChrystal met with him one-on-one at the White House to apologize personally for derogatory comments about top administration officials involved in the Afghan war.
The general departed the White House immediately after the meeting, leaving his fate in doubt.
Iraqi security forces arrested 10 terrorism suspects in recent operations in Iraq with U.S. advisors, military officials reported.
In southern Baghdad yesterday, Iraqi forces searched with U.S. advisors for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader who is believed to be involved in high-profile vehicle-borne bomb attacks and to have ties to the terror group's senior leadership. They arrested two suspected criminal associates of the wanted man.
Special Report - 06/30/10
