By Julian E. Barnes
The Los Angeles Times
The promotion of a like-minded general to a post lasting into the next administration could help perpetuate high troop
levels in Iraq and heighten attention on Iran.
Washington - In promoting Army Gen. David H. Petraeus to commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, President Bush is
doing more than rewarding a job well done in Iraq. The president also is taking a step toward perpetuating his policy of
high troop levels in Iraq and is putting his most trusted general in charge of renewing the military's focus on Iran.
Petraeus has been the prime advocate of Bush's policy of a large troop presence in Iraq. By naming Petraeus to a job
that lasts into the next administration, Bush ensures that the new president will confront the military's strongest
voice for maintaining a big force in Iraq.
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