1、Strategic Questions for Generals Petraeus and OdiernoM A Y 2 0 0 8 1Overarching QuestionsTh e Central Command Area of Responsibility(AOR)requires a Combatant Commander to balance an unprecedented range of challenges:two hot wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,tensions with Iran and Syria,chaos in Lebanon,c
2、rises in Sudan and Somalia,and regional eff orts to counter violent extremism to name just a few.QUESTION:General Petraeus,can you give us your assessment of the overall priorities and force require-ments in the region and tell us how you plan to balance across the range of demands?How will you tail
3、or your approach to deal with diff erent extremist groups in diff erent contexts in the CENTCOM AOR?Military ReadinessTh e Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ,the Secretary of the Army,the Army Chief of Staff and the Commandant of the Marine Corps have all testifi ed to Congress about the enormou
4、s strains on U.S.Soldiers,Marines and their families.Th ey have also expressed concern that the current pace of operations is both unsus-tainable and taking a substantial toll on the United States ability to respond to other crises beyond Iraq and Afghanistan.QUESTION:Generals,do you share their ass