In The Fight: Episode 52

watch: In The Fight: Episode 52

The Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System produced Episode 52 of In The Fight. Here's their description of this half-hour show:

On this episode, we get an inside look at the poppy trade in Afghanistan, a provincial reconstruction team works to bring the government and its people closer together, Gen. Petraeus visits the Afghan-Pakistan border to see the advances in security, U.S. and Moroccan forces further their relationship during African Lion 2011, and two service members find out how small of a world it truly is.

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• General Petraeus Slaps Down Congressman: My Son Has Been Quietly Serving In Afghanistan! (bigpeace.com)
• Senate Confirms General David Petraeus as CIA Director (theblaze.com)
• American Hero General David Petraeus: "I Disagree With Barack Obama... I'm No Quitter" (thegatewaypundit.com)
• U.N. Report Shreds Military's Claim of Afghanistan Progress (wired.com)
• The Taliban Hearts al-Qaeda (mypetjawa.mu.nu)

In The Fight: Episode 49

watch: In The Fight: Episode 49

The Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System produced Episode 49 of In The Fight. Here's their description of this half-hour show:

On this episode, the Air Force launches search and rescue efforts in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Japan, we get a rare glimpse into a typical day for the Commander of ISAF and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, with the ongoing crisis in Libya, Airmen carry out humanitarian missions along the Tunisia/Libya border, Marine help the Afghan government bring development projects to the Helmand Province, and a Soldier uses his talents to honor those service members that have fallen.

At 7:10 Gen. David Petraeus, Commander of ISAF and US Forces in Afghanistan, talks about his background as an economist and the importance of free market economics and education to securing Afghanistan's future.

Related articles

• GEN Petraeus Leads Conference on Afghan Civil Communications (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• Petraeus says he's not sure what next post will be (foxnews.com)
• General Petraeus Slaps Down Congressman: My Son Has Been Quietly Serving In Afghanistan! (bigpeace.com)

Petraeus to Succeed McChrystal

The AP reports: "...that President Barack Obama will name Gen. David Petraeus to succeed Gen. Stanley McChrystal as top war commander in Afghanistan." Gen. Stanley McChrystal was insubordinate. I do not think that he could command the respect of his own subordinates as needed in his leadership role if he were to remain in command, so I believe the decision to replace him was unavoidable.

Assuming the AP's source is correct, I applaud President Barack Obama's decision to replace McChrystal with Gen. David Patraeus. I've been impressed with Patraeus since reading Michael Yon's 2007 post Second Chances (note: two videos will auto-play at that link).