Petraeus Blasts Church's Plan to Burn Korans on 9/11

A Florida church that plans to burn Korans on Sept. 11 has turned a deaf ear to the city of Gainesville's condemnation of its plans—but will it listen to General Petraeus? The top US commander in Afghanistan blasted Dove World Outreach Center in an interview with the Wall Street Journal today, saying that the demonstration could be exploited by the Taliban, who would use it to fuel anti-American sentiment ... which could put US troops in danger.

"It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems. Not just here, but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community." And the fire seems to have already begun: Hundreds of Afghans protested the church's plans today in Kabul, and officials fear such demonstrations could spread to other cities. Westerners in Afghanistan have been warned to steer clear of restaurants and other public places as anger builds.
(More David Petraeus stories.)