Obama calls meeting to reshape Pentagon strategy - Los Angeles Times

Obama calls meeting to reshape Pentagon strategy - Los Angeles Times
Obama calls meeting to reshape Pentagon strategyHe will confer today with Defense Secretary Gates, Gen. Petraeus and other top military officials, with Iraq withdrawal a key topic. He also calls Mideastleaders to discuss peace efforts.By Julian E. Barnes10:50 AM PST, January 21, 2009Reporting from Washington -- President Obama will discuss U.S. military involvement in Iraq with his senior national security team this afternoon, a criticalfirst meeting as the new administration reshapes the Pentagon's war strategy.
"Running up to the inauguration, the president made clear this is one of the important items on his agenda," said Bryan Whitman, the Pentagon spokesman."This is a logical first step for a new president that wants to speak to the people most directly responsibility for managing and executing the wars."
Elenco di 2 elementi• Obama to start tackling economic, military issues• President Obama attends traditional prayer servicefine elencoObama is scheduled to meet with White House National Security Advisor James L. Jones and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates along with Adm. Michael G. Mullen,the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. David H. Petraeus, the head of U.S. forces in the Middle East. In addition, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno,the top commander in Iraq, will participate by video teleconference.
At the meeting, expected to begin around 4 p.m. Eastern time, Obama could order an change in war policy and direct the military to speed up its withdrawals.
But some officials believe it is more likely that the president will ask the Defense Department take some time to draft new plans for his approval. Militaryofficials said that will give them a chance to reconcile commanders' current plans with the wishes of the new president.
Road to the inaugurationFull coverageFull coverage of Obama's inaugurationBarack Obama through the yearsPhotos: The inauguration of Barack ObamaShare your storyDiscuss: Have you ever met a president?Inauguration parade routeInteractive: Inauguration of 44th presidentDuring the campaign and after the election, Obama repeated his wish to withdraw all combat forces within 16 months, or by mid-2010. Advisors have said hewould be open to leaving a residual force of tens of thousands of noncombat troops to train Iraqis and provide support.
The U.S. has agreed to withdraw its entire military force by the end of 2011 under a security agreement with Iraq. Odierno has developed another plan thatwould allow the removal of forces before the end of 2011, but has a more cautious timetable than the one outlined by Obama.
Odierno and other commanders want to ensure that they have enough forces to help with Iraqi security for national elections scheduled at the end of theyear.
Mideast Peace
On another foreign policy issue, Obama placed calls to several Mideast leaders today to demonstrate his interest in Arab-Israeli peace "from the beginningof his term and to look for ways to strengthen a cease-fire following Israel's three-week offensive in the Gaza Strip, the White House said.
Obama called Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah.
"In the aftermath of the Gaza conflict, he emphasized his determination to work to help consolidate the cease-fire by establishing an effective anti-smugglingregime to prevent Hamas from rearming, and facilitating in partnership with the Palestinian Authority a major reconstruction effort for Palestinians inGaza," the White House said.
Guantanamo
On another matter, Obama issued his first order to the military Tuesday night, ordering Gates to temporary halt all military commission proceedings at theU.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Whitman said today that the military was awaiting a "broader comprehensive review of policy and procedures." Defense officials also said they are awaitingan executive order from the White House, expected within a week, that will outline further the future of the prison at Guantanamo.
"The president has made his intentions well known and he has taken the first steps," Whitman said. "I suspect the department would get [further] guidancein the near future."
Whitman said that Gates was asked by the president to suspend the hearings. Gates issued an oral order last night asking for a temporary halt and he isexpected to follow it up with a written directive today.
There are two ongoing cases at Guantanamo. In one case this morning, prosecutors today asked for a 120-day continuance, which was unopposed by defense counseland granted by a judge.
julian.Barnes@latimes.com