David Petraeus

Age: 58
Occupation: Four-star Army general
Previous TIME 100 appearances: 1

King David, as both his admirers and detractors sometimes call him, is the nation's most famous general of recent times. He pushed for the surge in Iraq — which played a major role in turning that conflict around — and is trying to do the same in Afghanistan, which may prove to be an even tougher challenge. Up next: perhaps a job as CIA chief, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or a run for political office.

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