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U.S. command shortens life of 'Long War' as reference

WASHINGTON -— When the Bush administration has sought to explain its strategy for fighting terrorism, it has often said the United States is involved in a “long war” against Islamic extremists.

The phrase was coined by Gen. John P. Abizaid before he retired as head of the Central Command. It was intended to signal to the American public that the country was involved in a lengthy struggle that went well beyond the war in Iraq and was political as well as military...

After taking over last month as the head of Central Command, Adm. William J. Fallon quietly retired the phrase...

It is far from clear whether the White House and Pentagon will eventually follow Admiral Fallon’s lead...

An earlier push to change the way the Bush administration describes its strategy against terrorism was notably unsuccessful. In 2005, the Pentagon argued that the phrase “war on terror” should be replaced by “global struggle against violent extremism.”
Read entire article at New York Times