General Petraeus writes
And talks, too. Last night Central Command posted another letter to the troops from Petraeus. I didn’t see any particular news in it, but it struck me that one of the keys to Petraeus’s success as a wartime commander has been his ability to communicate his intent to the rank and file. It was striking ...
And talks, too. Last night Central Command posted another letter to the troops from Petraeus. I didn't see any particular news in it, but it struck me that one of the keys to Petraeus's success as a wartime commander has been his ability to communicate his intent to the rank and file. It was striking to me in Iraq last year that everyone from division commanders to new platoon leaders was down with the counterinsurgency program (pdf), and specifically making protection of the people the top priority. (That was one reason that the Blackwater shootup of 17 civilians in September 2007 caused such a fuss -- it was so clearly at odds with the new way the surging U.S. military was trying to operate.)
And talks, too. Last night Central Command posted another letter to the troops from Petraeus. I didn’t see any particular news in it, but it struck me that one of the keys to Petraeus’s success as a wartime commander has been his ability to communicate his intent to the rank and file. It was striking to me in Iraq last year that everyone from division commanders to new platoon leaders was down with the counterinsurgency program (pdf), and specifically making protection of the people the top priority. (That was one reason that the Blackwater shootup of 17 civilians in September 2007 caused such a fuss — it was so clearly at odds with the new way the surging U.S. military was trying to operate.)
Anyway, Petraeus’s letter reminded me of something I’ve been reading about lately, that eloquence generally was a requirement for the generals of ancient Greece and Rome. It was notable when a commander was inarticulate — the opposite of today’s American generals, Petraeus (and Marine Gen. James Mattis) excepted.
Photo of General Petraeus, December 2008, via DAVID FURST/AFP/Getty Images
Thomas E. Ricks is a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy. Twitter: @tomricks1
More from Foreign Policy
Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.
Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage
The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.
The West’s False Choice in Ukraine
The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.
The Masterminds
Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day, written by Alexandra Sharp. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.