General David Petraeus is a retired four-star general in the United States Army, known for his leadership during the Iraq War. He played a key role in developing the surge strategy, which aimed to reduce violence and stabilize Iraq in 2007. Petraeus also served as the commander of the U.S. Central Command, overseeing military operations in the Middle East. After his military career, Petraeus became the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2011 to 2012. He is recognized for his expertise in military strategy and counterinsurgency, contributing to discussions on national security and foreign policy.