Obama And Medvedev Squash Cold War Beef Over Burgers

President Barack Obama declared Thursday that he and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have “succeeded in resetting” the relationship between the former Cold War adversaries that had dipped to a dangerous low in recent years.

Obama directly acknowledged differences in some areas, such as Moscow’s tensions with neighboring Georgia, but said “we addressed those differences candidly.” And he announced that the U.S. and Russia had agreed to expand cooperation on intelligence and the counterterror fight and worked on strengthening economic ties between the nations.

Obama gave Russia perhaps the biggest gift it could have wanted from the meetings: an unqualified, hearty plug for Moscow’s ascension to the World Trade Organization. Russia has long wanted membership but U.S. support in the past has come with conditions.

“Russia belongs in the WTO,” Obama said as the two leaders stood side-by-side in the East Room after several hours of meetings – including an impromptu trip to a nearby burger joint for lunch.

Traveling by motorcade, the two presidents ventured to Ray’s Hell Burger in Arlington, Va., a popular hamburger joint just outside the nation’s capital. Obama ate there last year with Vice President Joe Biden.

A cheer went up from customers when the presidents walked in.

During their meal, Obama and Medvedev sat at a table with their interpreters, sharing a conversation through them.

New Era Of The White House: Talk Slick, Get Fired.

Patraeus To Replace McChrystal As Commanding Officer

WASHINGTON—U.S. President Barack Obama accepted the resignation of the top U.S. commander and strategist of the Afghan war of his command Wednesday.Gen. David Petraeus, the head of the military's Central Command and the architect of the surge of forces into Iraq in 2007, will take over as the commanding general in Afghanistan, Mr. Obama said.

The shakeup followed comments by Gen. Stanley McChrystal and his aides disparaging the president, his national security team, and U.S. allies.

The decision to put Gen. Petraeus in command sends a signal that the president stands behind the counterinsurgency tactics pushed hard by Gen. McChrystal and championed by Gen. Petraeus.

Mr. Obama said his acceptance of Gen. McChrystal's recommendation didn't reflect a disagreement about strategy or personal insult. "We are in full agreement about our strategy," he said Wednesday, expressing "great admiration" for the general.

"But war is bigger than any one man," Mr. Obama said. He said the change was necessary to maintain a "unity of effort" in Afghanistan. "I welcome debate among my team, but I won't tolerate division."

The switch comes at a crucial time in the war: Thousands of troops are pouring into Afghanistan ahead of a planned operation in Kandahar that is seen as central to the campaign. The balance of surge forces are to arrive by August

Technically, as combatant commander in the military region that includes Afghanistan and the Middle East, Gen. Petraeus was Gen. McChrystal's commanding officer.

By agreeing to take command, Gen. Petraeus himself was showing resolve to see the counterinsurgency effort through in Afghanistan.

Gen. McChrystal, 55, faced a barrage of criticism from top U.S. officials for mocking his civilian bosses and administration colleagues in a magazine article.

Some of his strongest advocates failed to jump to his defense after copies of the profile in Rolling Stone, titled "The Runaway General," circulated ahead of its publication Friday.