[Vision2020] Bush Appoints 'War Czar'

[Tom Hansen]

LTG Douglas E. Lute has been appointed "to serve as the full-time manager
for implementing and executing U.S. strategies for Iraq and Afghanistan"
["War Czar"].

This is going to confuse things more than they are already.  Do you realize
that General Petraeus, Commander of U.S. Central Command, (and, for the
purposes of the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars, underling to LTG Lute) simply
outranks his boss.

>From the American Forces Press Service -

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By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2007 - President Bush announced yesterday that he has
named Army Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute, director of operations for the Joint
Staff, as assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor
for Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Bush named Lute to the new position to serve as the full-time manager for
implementing and executing U.S. strategies for Iraq and Afghanistan, the
president explained. Lute also will manage the interagency
policy-development process for the two theaters, working closely with
National Security Advisor Stephen J. Hadley, the Cabinet and the president. 

Lute's efforts will directly support Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, commander
of U.S. Central Command; Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of
Multinational Force Iraq; U.S. commanders in Afghanistan; and the U.S.
ambassadors to Iraq and Afghanistan, Bush said. 

"Nothing is more important than getting Admiral Fallon, General Petraeus,
American commanders in Afghanistan, and Ambassadors (Ryan) Crocker and
(William) Wood what they need, and Douglas Lute can make sure that happens
quickly and reliably," the president said. 

Bush praised Lute as "a tremendously accomplished military leader who
understands war and government and knows how to get things done." 

While serving more than two years as director of operations at U.S. Central
Command, Lute played an integral role in implementing combat operation plans
in Iraq and Afghanistan and gained a critical understanding of the
challenges being faced in the war on terror, the president noted. 

"He has already earned the respect and trust of the officials with whom he
will be working in his new role," Bush said. 

Petraeus praised the president's choice for the new post. "Doug Lute knows
Iraq, the region and Washington, and he'll be a great addition to the team
that is striving to achieve success in Iraq," Petraeus said. "He is also a
doer." 

Crocker shared Petraeus' enthusiasm about Lute's nomination. "His knowledge
and experience will make him a valuable partner to our efforts in Iraq," he
said. "I look forward to working closely with Lieutenant General Doug Lute
in the coming months. His knowledge and experience will make him a valuable
partner to our efforts in Iraq." 

A 1975 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., Lute
served with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment during Operation Desert Storm
and commanded Multinational Brigade East in Kosovo in 2002. 

He has served on the staff of the Army chief of staff, on the Joint Staff's
Directorate for Strategic Plans and Policy, and as executive assistant to
the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil
and steady dedication of a lifetime." 

--Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.