Petraeus vs. Webb
Jul 31, 20201M Shares15.2M Views
This exchange wasn’t so significant for its substance, but rather its tone. Jim Webb really got in Petraeus’s face over his Iran statements. What does it mean, he said, that Iran has a "malign" influence, as Petraeus testified?
Petraeus reiterated that Iran is playing a destabilizing role. But Webb figured Petraeus was trying to snow him, and reminded Petraeus that Nixon opened relations with China even as China was providing weapons and money to North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. "Would you agree, historically, that one of the realities we have to deal with is some sort Iranian influence in the region?" The subtext: General, aren’t you out of touch with reality?
That wasn’t an implication Petraeus appreciated. "Senator, I think if you’ll read my statement,you’ll see that sentiment in Iraq," he said, icily. The two went back and forth over very little substantive yardage.
What’s important is that Webb showed why he’s on the shortlist for the Democratic vice-presidential nod. Not only does he have a firm grasp on both military realities and on the broader strategic questions of the Middle East, but he’s willing to go toe-to-toe with anyone, even the most respected general in the country.
Paolo Reyna
Reviewer
Paolo Reyna is a writer and storyteller with a wide range of interests. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies.
Paolo enjoys writing about celebrity culture, gaming, visual arts, and events. He has a keen eye for trends in popular culture and an enthusiasm for exploring new ideas. Paolo's writing aims to inform and entertain while providing fresh perspectives on the topics that interest him most.
In his free time, he loves to travel, watch films, read books, and socialize with friends.
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