David Petraeus is a retired four-star general in the United States Army, known for his leadership during the Iraq War. He served as the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq from 2007 to 2008, where he implemented the surge strategy that aimed to reduce violence and stabilize the country. Petraeus later became the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2011 to 2012. Born on November 7, 1952, in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, Petraeus graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He earned a Ph.D. in international relations from Princeton University and has authored several books on military strategy and leadership.