Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Senate set to OK Petraeus as U.S. Afghan commander
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Senate set to OK Petraeus as U.S. Afghan commander
Reuters - 2 hours 44 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
By Phil Stewart and Adam Entous
WASHINGTON - U.S. General David Petraeus faces a confirmation hearing in the Senate on Tuesday expected to expose growing doubts about the U.S. effort in Afghanistan but broad support for the four-star general chosen to lead it.
One of the U.S. military's biggest stars, Petraeus is widely credited with helping turn the tide in Iraq. President Barack Obama hopes he can do the same with the unpopular, nine-year-old war in Afghanistan.
Petraeus, 57, would replace General Stanley McChrystal, who was fired by Obama last week over comments made by him and his aides belittling the president and his aides and announced his retirement on Monday.
It was the biggest military shake-up of his presidency, and the second time the top Afghan commander was fired since Obama took office last year.
"This is Obama's last chance," Arturo Munoz, a security analyst at the RAND Corporation, said of Petraeus.
If the general who helped pull Iraq back from the brink and oversaw development of the book on counter-insurgency strategy cannot win the war in Afghanistan, maybe no one can, Munoz added.
Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee to which Petraeus will testify, cautioned reporters a day ahead of the confirmation hearing that support for the war among Obama's Democrats was starting to erode.
"On the Democratic side, there's I would say solid support but there's also the beginnings of some fraying of that support -- and that's true in the base, as well as in the Congress," he told reporters.
He aimed to press Petraeus to increase the number of Afghan forces who are taking part in a campaign to secure the Taliban's spiritual home of Kandahar, an operation seen as the linchpin of Obama's war strategy.
After a slower-than-expected roll-out, that operation is expected to get fully under way in September and its perceived success or failure could affect Obama's Democrats at the ballot box in November congressional elections.
STRUGGLING CAMPAIGN
The Afghan job is technically a step-down for Petraeus, who used to be McChrystal's boss.
The Army general is widely respected by Republicans and Democrats, and few expect his nomination to be held up. Obama has called for his confirmation before the July 4 holiday.
"I think the hearing is going to be warm and very positive regarding Petraeus himself ... But in regard to the counter-insurgency strategy, no. That's going to be different," said Munoz. "There are going to be a lot of hard questions."
Perceptions of a struggling U.S. campaign have been fuelled by a stronger-than-expected Taliban resistance in the southern district of Marjah -- meant to be a showcase of U.S. strategy -- and the slow start to the offensive in Kandahar.
In a sign of growing tensions, a key Democratic lawmaker in the House of Representatives said she was cutting billions of dollars in aid to Afghanistan from spending legislation because of reports of corruption and donor aid being flown out of the country.
Representative Nita Lowey, who heads the House appropriations subcommittee on foreign aid, vowed not to spend "one more dime" on aid to Afghanistan until she can be sure it is not being abused.
Petraeus, who briefly fainted the last time he appeared before the Senate committee -- he blamed dehydration -- is also expected to face tough questions from opposition Republicans critical of Obama's plan to start withdrawing U.S. troops in July 2011.
Senator John McCain, the ranking Republican on the committee, has criticized the timeline and said it sent a signal to Afghans that the United States and its allies were preparing to wrap up the war regardless of the outcome.
Levin said the July 2011 date was crucial to Americans wary of making an open-ended commitment to the Afghan conflict.
"That date being set I think was critically important in terms of maintaining support of the American people a war that has gone on so long," Levin said.
Ramping up Afghan security forces is a precondition for any eventual pullout by American forces. But a report on Monday by the U.S. special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction underscored the difficulty of training Afghan troops to take over the country's security.
"We don't really know at this point in time what the capability of the Afghanistan security forces really is," chief inspector Arnold Fields told reporters, highlighting problems of drug abuse and corruption.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Guinea counts votes after peaceful election AFP - Tuesday, June 29
100 foreign troops die in Afghan war in June AFP - 18 minutes ago
UK-World Summary Reuters - 39 minutes ago
U.S. arrests 10 for allegedly spying for Russia Reuters - 1 hour 5 minutes ago
US busts 'deep-cover' Russian spy ring AFP - 1 hour 37 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
More travel misery from Greek general strike
Rare white elephant caught in Myanmar
Oprah tops Forbes celebrity 'power list'
US presses farmers to reduce antibiotics use
Brazil ease past Chile, set-up Dutch showdown
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Disgraced millionaire lobbyist takes pizza job
US cracks 'deep-cover' Russia spy mission, arrests 10
England-Germany World Cup rivalry felt in Afghanistan
Back from the dead, Saab is ready for its revenge
BP denies Hayward to resign as oil disaster costs soar
More Most Viewed »
Amputee cat gets bionic legs
Aussie men shoot each other in buttocks 'to see if it hurts'
Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 29 June 2010 Iran freezes nuclear talks for two months
Panama ex-dictator Noriega on trial in France
US-TECH Summary
Obama moves to free spectrum for wireless revolution
Western oil firms stop business with Iran
Era ends, as Byrd, longest-serving US lawmaker, dies
Tycoon trio wins control of France's Le Monde
Iran to 'discipline' West by holding off nuclear talks
BP denies Hayward to resign as oil disaster costs soar
Supreme Court Rules Part Of Sarbanes-Oxley Violated Constitution
Angry House lawmaker cuts aid to Afghanistan
|
Saudi king seeks Obama action on Mideast peace
Football lags other sports on technology
Venus battles Groth to reach quarter finals
Administration Outlines Ambitious Voluntary Broadband Spectrum Plan
EU mobile roaming rates to fall as of July 1
Guinea vote went well despite hitches say observers
|
Apple iPhone 4 Tops 1.7 Million In Sales
Over 12,000 Guineans sms on election issues: US embassy
Personal Spending, Income Rise In May
Apple sold 1.7 million iPhones in three days
Hurricane Watch Raised In Texas, Mexico As Alex Gains Strength
Apple says had sold 1.7 million iPhone 4 on Saturday
"Back To The Future" Trilogy Head To Blu-Ray For 25th Anniversary
Ex-Panamanian dictator Noriega stands trial in Paris
|
"Toy Story 3" Guards Top Spot; "Grown Ups" Take 2nd Place
S.Korean leader wants North apology
Japan war crimes claim sparks France libel case
Li ignores coach to maintain winning feeling
U.S. Senate Republicans rap Obama's high court pick
Japan count on Honda against Paraguay
Five Americans appeal terrorism convictions in Pakistan
India's central bank to weigh interest rate hike: minister
Obama endorses plan to boost wireless broadband
|
Toyota starts production of Europe's first hybrid car
Tata Motors to raise $1 billion in equity and debt
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Motley Crue singer Vince Neil arrested for drunk driving
German police recover stolen Caravaggio painting
India to spend millions restoring classic movies
Saudi Arabia Moves to Regulate Child Marriages
Football's inspiring role at notorious island prison
Dogs join owners in battle against the bulge
French wines' new export strategy: think "Coca-Cola"
Chocolate terracotta warriors to hit Taiwan art show
Stevie Wonder cheers up Glastonbury after football failure
Motley Crue singer Vince Neil arrested for drunk driving
|
U.S. v Ghana tie most-watched soccer game in U.S. history
|
100 foreign troops die in Afghan war in June
US busts 'deep-cover' Russian spy ring
Furious US lawmaker blocks Afghan aid
U.S. missile strike kills 6 militants in northwestern Pakistan
|
Baidu to hire U.S. engineers to work in China
Britain, France, Germany use torture intel: HRW
Rare white elephant caught in Myanmar
Israeli mission complains over Egypt press cartoon
North Korean heir apparent elected to assembly: reports
|
HP cuts contractor use for printer growth
Two held over failed break-in at French imam's home
Oprah tops Forbes celebrity 'power list'
Iran freezes nuclear talks for two months
Chrome unseats Safari as 3rd popular Internet browser
Taiwan and China sign historic trade pact
|
US cracks 'deep-cover' Russia spy mission, arrests 10
US Admits Koreas Are Officially Still At War, Looks Into Norths Actions
Business ideas may be patentable, US Supreme Court says
100 foreign troops die in Afghan war in June
US presses farmers to reduce antibiotics use
Striking workers force closure of Madrid metro
|
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" Features Numerous "Twilight" Guests During "Eclipse" Premiere Week
U.S. Supreme Court Extends Gun Rights To All States, Cities
Brazil ease past Chile, set-up Dutch showdown
Amazon adds video to Kindle e-books on iPad-iPhone
Obama Administration Launches New Space Policy Stressing International Cooperation
Australia PM seeks to end mining row, may call poll
|
Five top U.S. operators pick Samsung Galaxy S phones
Kyrgyz vote wins 90 percent support, Russia wary
|
Era ends as Byrd, longest-serving US lawmaker, dies
Obama endorses plan to boost wireless broadband
Kagan Pledges to be "Modest" as Supreme Court Nomination Hearing Begins
U.S. Markets Finish Slightly Lower As Investors Digest Data, G-20 Comments
Mexico drug hitmen kill state governor candidate
|
Peru inventor 'whitewashes' peaks to slow glacier melt
Israeli inquiry into Gaza flotilla raid opens
|
Tycoon trio wins control of France's Le Monde
Greeks strike on Tuesday, test government pension reform
|
U.S. arrests 10 for allegedly spying for Russia
Tesla stock offering seeks to raise 244 million dollars
Five top U.S. operators pick Samsung Galaxy S phones
US drone strike kills six militants in Pakistan
Senate set to OK Petraeus as U.S. Afghan commander
Baidu to hire U.S. engineers to work in China
|
Motorola and Sprint to sell Windows phone to businesses
China struggles to save 107 buried in landslide
System to assess Afghan forces flawed
Five top U.S. operators pick Samsung Galaxy S phones
|
N.Korean leader's son working as lawmaker: reports
HP cuts contractor use for printer growth
|
Tiger attacks toddler in Indonesian zoo
Sandra Bullock, Jesse James finalize divorce
|
Megan Fox marries in Hawaii: report
|
CSI showrunners renew deals
|
Dr Death admits to fear of death in documentary
|
Women rule Forbes' celebrity power list, Gaga makes debut
|
Radio Disney to air scripted serial
|
Native American actors see new image in Twilight
|
Steve Carell resigning from The Office next year
|
Method Man pleads guilty to tax evasion
|
U.S. top court extends gun rights to states and cities
General McChrystal to retire from U.S. Army-official
Megan Fox marries in Hawaii: report
Australia leadership coup 'not done lightly': MP
Taiwan stocks fall 1 pct; trade deal boost fades
The World's Most Powerful Celebrities
China to stage live-fire military exercises
Longest-serving U.S. lawmaker Byrd dies at 92
Indian Kashmir on the boil again
S.Korea balance of payments hit by market jitters
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
European firms concerned over China regulations
PAKISTAN
Japan unemployment rises as output slows
Pact to draw China, Taiwan closer than ever
Fiji's neighbours slam media crackdown
North Korean heir apparent elected to assembly
Radio Disney to air scripted serial
NZ household borrowing edges higher in May
Sandra Bullock, Jesse James finalize divorce
S.Korea regains status as world's top shipbuilder
IMF chief says yuan still too low
Steve Carell "resigning" from "The Office" next year
Native American actors see new image in "Twilight"
Method Man pleads guilty to tax evasion
mSpot streams music collections to Android smartphones
Twelve die in Iraq unrest, suicide bombing
No Palestinian state before 2012
Google tweaks China queries, license renewal looms
Russia says U.S. spy charges baseless and improper
|
FIFA chief apologises for World Cup errors
Up to 150 Taliban killed in Afghan battle: report
Protest in Greece as general strike snarls travel
China denies military exercise aimed at U.S.
|
Stephenie Meyer's "Bree Tanner" Sold Over A Million Copies In The U.S.
UN vehicle shot in Afghan capital, driver wounded
Supreme Court Sides With School Against Religious Exclusion
Father Of Missing Oregon Boy Files For Divorce
Iran says nuclear talks to resume with Brazil, Turkey
|
Chicago Cop In Notorious Torture Case Found Guilty Of Perjury
UN vehicle shot in Afghan capital, driver hurt
Witnesses say UN vehicle shot up in Afghan capital
Strikes hit Greece and Spain as ECB deadline looms
|
Are UN Sanctions Against Iran Kicking In?
2 Afghan men convicted for heroin trafficking
No Palestinian state before 2012: Israeli minister
|
Two Florida Police Officers Killed During Traffic Stop
Steve Carell Resigning From "The Office"
U.S. missile strike kills 6 militants in NW Pakistan
Light Rail Systems Lead To Weight Loss
Special Election To Byrd's Senate Seat Will Be In 2012
Japan, Paraguay vie for World Cup quarter-final spot
"Hot Tub Time Machine" Splashes Onto DVD, Blu-ray
China says can guarantee grip on Tibet forever
|
New saliva test 'can detect various cancers'
Philippines' Aquino to probe Arroyo in 'truth commission'
Google switches tack in China before license expires
China denies military exercise aimed at U.S.
Australia's 'Dr Death' guilty of manslaughter
Iraqis seek out private schools to educate children
|
China and Taiwan sign historic trade pact
At least 32 feared dead as Ghana mine collapses
|
Pakistani stocks edge up in dull trade; rupee flat
Japan's Komatsu to hire Chinese managers
Pakistan expects $970 mln foreign inflows to meet IMF target
Foxconn 'to move China Apple production' as costs rise
South Korea c.bankers wanted tightening signal in May
Google alters China course before licence expires
'Prince of Jihad' given five years in Indonesia
China stocks lower on AgBank's low IPO pricing
Oprah tops Forbes celebrity 'power list'
Pakistan c.bank sells 49.50 bln rupees of T-bills
Google tweaks rerouting in fight for China business
|
"CSI" showrunners renew deals
"Dr Death" admits to fear of death in documentary
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights