David Petraeus Offers Apology Over Paula Broadwell Affair, Syria Solutions: Nine Journalists Subpoenaed [Video]

Appearing before a U.S. Senate Armed Services Hearing to discuss the conflict in Syria yesterday, retired general and former CIA director David Petraeus offered an apology for his extramarital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, and his conduct that led him to plead guilty to charges that he mishandled classified information.

“Four years ago I made a serious mistake. One that brought discredit on me and pain to those closest to me… There’s nothing I can do to undo what I did. I can only say, again, how sorry I am to those I let down and then strive to go forward with a greater sense of humility, and purpose and with gratitude to those who have stood with me during a very difficult chapter of my life.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftz57a91EcM

Politico is reporting that lawyers representing Jill Kelley in a lawsuit started in 2013 have subpoenaed journalists from nine media outlets ranging from The Daily Beast to The Washington Post, with regard to leaked e-mails shared with the journalists by government officials without her permission. It is believed that the journalists will attempt to “quash” the subpoenas.

Kelley, an honorary diplomat, is said to have received anonymous e-mails before December 2012, when she made a report to the FBI, that contained information about David Petraeus’ and Marine Corps Gen. John Allen’s personal schedules. The investigation that followed exposed that Petraeus was involved in an affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell. It also led to reportedly unfounded speculation that Kelley and Allen were involved in an affair, which both have denied.

Yahoo News has reported that David Petraeus and his wife of over 40 years, Holly Knowlton, have remained together through the ordeal.

Also while appearing before the Senate committee yesterday, David Petraeus spoke with regard to the ongoing conflict in Syria. Petraeus likened the instability to a “geopolitical Chernobyl.” He described his feelings that, if left uncorrected, the situation in Syria may haunt the Middle East and the world for decades. Petraeus feels that the “longer” the conflict is allowed to continue unchecked, the more serious the long term global geopolitical harm will be.

“It is frequently said that there is no military solution to Syria,” Petreaus stated before the Senate hearing. “This may be true, but it is also misleading.” Petraeus then described that any political solution in the region must be backed by corresponding military action that will not “materialize” by itself. David Petraeus explained how the U.S. needs to “facilitate” such military action if hope of peace in Syria is to be had.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScBrQaDzgpA

[Photo by Mark Wilson / Getty Images]