David Petraeus
Prior to his appointment as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, David Petraeus was a four-star general in the United States Army who capped a brilliant career by leading the campaigns that turned the tide of battle in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In his 37 years in the Army, Petraeus held leadership positions in airborne, mechanized, and air assault infantry units in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. In 2003, he commanded the 101st Airborne Division in the assault on Baghdad. Hailed as "the world's leading expert in counter-insurgency warfare," he literally wrote the book on the subject. His Commander's Counterinsurgency Guidance is the standard work used today by military leaders facing armed insurgents. When President George W. Bush decided to change strategy in Iraq, he chose Petraeus to lead the surge. Petraeus's turnaround of an apparently hopeless situation made him the most admired leader in the United States military, one who has enjoyed enthusiastic suppo