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When David Petraeus wrote his doctorate on the lessons of Vietnam, he did not know that he would end up in command of all American forces in Iraq.
He leaves his post in Iraq having made a strong personal contribution towards supporting nation building, despite the poor political guidance that the chaos of the Bush administration's lack of planning forced on the coalition forces.
Prior to Iraq, Petraeus had no combat experience, but he had practical experience of nation building from tours of duty in Bosnia and Haiti. Petraeus commanded the 101st Airborne in Mosul immediately after the occupation, during which his area was noted for its calm.
In 2004 he was moved to command all support for the Iraqi police and armed forces before taking over responsibility for all Iraq in 2007 and implementing the surge in troop numbers which led to better security.
His record in Iraq is important as it shows how effective people can make a significant difference, even in a political vacuum.
The American occupation of Iraq has to be about nation building, supporting the Iraqi government, and then leaving. Petraeus has worked towards that end, even if most of the Bush administration failed to understand what nation building was about.
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