The Analysis Of Article A Phony Hero For A Phony War - Essay Example

A Phony Hero for a Phony War The article ‘A Phony Hero for a Phony War’ is an opinion-based response by Lucian K. Truscott to the scandal that led to the resignation of United States Army General and former Central Intelligence Agency director David Howell Petraeus. The scandal entails General Petraeus involvement in an extra-marital affair with Paula Broadwell, the chief author of Petraeus’ biography ‘All In: The Education of General David Petraeus’. In the article placed in the New York Times Sunday Review edition of 16th November 2012, Lucian K.

Truscott begins by assessing blustery high-ranking military officials that have existed in the history of the United States Army. Lucian views these blustery antics such as seeking decorations as distractions from the core objective of high-ranking military officials, which is to lead other soldiers (Truscott, 2012). In regards to General David Petraeus’ case, Lucian K. Truscott argues that he did not achieve anything during his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead, Lucian views General David Petraeus’ strategy of seeking the loyalties of various factions in Iraq as a strategy of seeking personal fame and acclamation.

This, according to Lucian, influenced General David Petraeus’ appointment as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (Truscott, 2012). Lucian views the achievements and high publicity acclaimed to General David Petraeus as inappropriate in comparison to the Generals of the World War II era who achieved significantly more that David did. In essence, Lucian K. Truscott’s article seems to criticize General David Petraeus viewing him as a blustery individual who sought media publicity to advance his personal course.

In light of this, Lucian view the appointment of General David Petraeus to the Directorship position of the Central Intelligence Agency as well as his deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan as erroneous measures that would have cost the nation greatly (Truscott, 2012). Works cited Truscott, Lucian. A Phony Hero for a Phony War. 2012. November 19, 2012