Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, spokesman for Multi-National Forces-Iraq, explained last week to Iraqi journalists curious about the import of the Iraq Study Group report that President Bush decides US policy in Iraq, not the ISG authors, or newly confirmed Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who served on the ISG. Stars and Stripes reports that Caldwell explained, “Our President will consider it along with some other input he’s going to receive in deciding what adjustments, if any, he will make to our strategy.”
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.