On Uncommon Knowledge this week, General Jack Keane.

Keane served in the United States Army for 37 years, earning four stars and the post of Vice Chief of Staff, before his retirment in 2003. But his most remarkable service took place in 2006.

Frustrated by the deteriorating situation in Iraq—and by the Pentagon’s determination to go right on pursuing a failing strategy—Keane discovered that a small private group, led by military historian Frederick Kagan, was developing an entirely new strategy for what would soon become known as “the surge.”

On one side, the Pentagon. On the other, Kagan’s skunkworks. Keane sided with the skunkworks—and took the plan for a surge to the White House. Others, we now know, were also working on plans for a surge, notably Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, then on the staff of the National Security Council. But the President adopted a surge at least in part because Jack Keane came pounding on his door.

For a story of the surge, click here.