Gen. David Petraeus to Resign – or Not

Gerald D. Swick

A Times of London article announced on February 16th that General David Petraeus was about to resign from his position as commander of U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan. Two paragraphs in the initial report stated:

"The Times can reveal that the Pentagon aims to replace General Petraeus, who was appointed less than eight months ago, by the end of the year.

Sources have confirmed that the search for a new commander in Kabul is under way. It forms part of a sweeping reorganisation of top American officials in Afghanistan, which the Obama Administration hopes to present as proof that its strategy does not depend on the towering reputation of one man."

Within hours, however, the Times was backpedaling somewhat from that earlier story.

Here are links to a BBC blog about the incident and a report of a response from the Pentagon.

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