John Abizaid

Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, who has overseen military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since shortly after U.S. forces invaded Iraq in 2003, will stay on for another year, defense officials said Tuesday. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld recently asked Abizaid to stay for at least another year beyond this summer, one official said. The officials who discussed the matter did so on condition of anonymity because the extension had not been announced.

Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, has submitted plans to retire and will leave his post in March, a step likely to make way for a change in military strategy at a time the Bush administration is seeking a new plan for Iraq. Abizaid has been the primary architect of U.S. military strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan since becoming head of the U.S. Central Command more than three years ago.

The Senate confirmed Army Lt. Gen. John Abizaid to replace Gen. Tommy Franks as head of the U.S. Central Command, a position that includes responsibility for American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Abizaid is one of two deputies to Franks at the Central Command, which oversees military operations from Africa to Central Asia. He will be promoted to the rank of general.

The top U.S. general in the Middle East said Friday that if the world did not find a way to stem the rise of Islamic militancy, it would face a third world war. Army Gen. John P. Abizaid compared the rise of militant ideologies, such as the force driving Al Qaeda, with the rise of fascism in Europe that set the stage for World War II.

The top U.S. general in the Middle East said Friday that if the world did not find a way to stem the rise of Islamic militancy, it would face a third world war. Army Gen. John P. Abizaid compared the rise of militant ideologies, such as the force driving Al Qaeda, with the rise of fascism in Europe that set the stage for World War II.

Hoping to pressure allies to contribute more troops to the occupation of Iraq, the commander of U.S. forces took the unusual step Friday of publicly naming countries that he believed were in a position to send more soldiers. Army Gen. John Abizaid, chief of the U.S. Central Command, said Pakistan was among the countries that could help the United States, which is sending more of its own troops while watching foreign forces depart.

Problems plaguing the Iraqi police are continuing to forestall the reduction of U.S. troops in Iraq, requiring the American military to maintain a higher profile there, the U.S. general directing the war said Wednesday. Iraqi army units have slowly become better trained and disciplined. But the police, who make up one-third of Iraq's security forces, have made fewer gains and are more prone to corruption, said Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, head of the U.S. Central Command.

Week by week, the guerrillas take their toll, killing Americans singly and in pairs, seeking to draw enough blood to undermine U.S. resolve to remain in Iraq. Yet though the resistance has shown improved organization in the nearly three months since President Bush declared major combat over, it has failed to expand the scope of its onslaught, U.S. military strategists say.

The top American commander in the Middle East said Tuesday that continuing violence in Iraq coupled with delays in forming an effective government and viable security forces would prevent any reduction in U.S. troops before spring. Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, head of the U.S. Central Command, said that six months ago he would have predicted that two U.S. brigades, or about 7,000 troops, could have been withdrawn by now. Deteriorating conditions have scuttled those plans.

The head of the U.S. military's Central Command arrived here Tuesday for a two-day visit aimed at easing tensions with this key American ally and sounding out Turkish officials about expanding the use of an air base for operations in Iraq. The Incirlik base in southern Turkey "is a Turkish base, not an American base. We look forward to use the facilities there as an ally," Army Gen. John P. Abizaid said, acknowledging that use of the base for Iraq operations was discussed.

The commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East said Wednesday that he had requested an increase in the number of U.S. military advisors in Iraq and had sent another 2,000-Marine unit into the country's restive western region, moves that will increase the number of American troops in Iraq. In two back-to-back hearings on Capitol Hill, Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, head of U.S.

The top American commander in the Middle East said Tuesday that continuing violence in Iraq coupled with delays in forming an effective government and viable security forces would prevent any reduction in U.S. troops before spring. Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, head of the U.S. Central Command, said that six months ago he would have predicted that two U.S. brigades, or about 7,000 troops, could have been withdrawn by now. Deteriorating conditions have scuttled those plans.

Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, who has overseen military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since shortly after U.S. forces invaded Iraq in 2003, will stay on for another year, defense officials said Tuesday. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld recently asked Abizaid to stay for at least another year beyond this summer, one official said. The officials who discussed the matter did so on condition of anonymity because the extension had not been announced.

Problems plaguing the Iraqi police are continuing to forestall the reduction of U.S. troops in Iraq, requiring the American military to maintain a higher profile there, the U.S. general directing the war said Wednesday. Iraqi army units have slowly become better trained and disciplined. But the police, who make up one-third of Iraq's security forces, have made fewer gains and are more prone to corruption, said Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, head of the U.S. Central Command.

The top U.S. general in the Middle East said Tuesday that the failure of insurgents to prevent millions of Iraqis from voting in January showed that the violent guerrilla movement was fizzling. Citing estimates from field commanders, Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, head of the U.S. Central Command, told a Senate committee that approximately 3,500 insurgents were involved in planning and executing the roughly 300 attacks on election day, Jan. 30.

The head of the U.S. military's Central Command arrived here Tuesday for a two-day visit aimed at easing tensions with this key American ally and sounding out Turkish officials about expanding the use of an air base for operations in Iraq. The Incirlik base in southern Turkey "is a Turkish base, not an American base. We look forward to use the facilities there as an ally," Army Gen. John P. Abizaid said, acknowledging that use of the base for Iraq operations was discussed.

The commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East said Wednesday that he had requested an increase in the number of U.S. military advisors in Iraq and had sent another 2,000-Marine unit into the country's restive western region, moves that will increase the number of American troops in Iraq. In two back-to-back hearings on Capitol Hill, Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, head of U.S.

Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, has submitted plans to retire and will leave his post in March, a step likely to make way for a change in military strategy at a time the Bush administration is seeking a new plan for Iraq. Abizaid has been the primary architect of U.S. military strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan since becoming head of the U.S. Central Command more than three years ago.

Hoping to pressure allies to contribute more troops to the occupation of Iraq, the commander of U.S. forces took the unusual step Friday of publicly naming countries that he believed were in a position to send more soldiers. Army Gen. John Abizaid, chief of the U.S. Central Command, said Pakistan was among the countries that could help the United States, which is sending more of its own troops while watching foreign forces depart.

Week by week, the guerrillas take their toll, killing Americans singly and in pairs, seeking to draw enough blood to undermine U.S. resolve to remain in Iraq. Yet though the resistance has shown improved organization in the nearly three months since President Bush declared major combat over, it has failed to expand the scope of its onslaught, U.S. military strategists say.