Our Man In Iraq

Colin Kahl evaluates Odierno, Petraeus's replacement:

Is he up to the task? I think he is. Even if he is not the completely "transformed" individual he is sometimes described to be, that is partly because the initial view of him was a bit of a caricature. Most importantly, what Odierno brings to the job is a "feel" for the current situation in Iraq and a relationship with key Iraqi players. Leveraging this tactile sense and working these relationships may hold the key to consolidating progress in Iraq. In my recent discussions with Odierno about the way forward in Iraq, it was clear that he has a multi-layered understanding of the core political challenges that confront him, and is ready to take them on.