Ret. General McChrystal: The World Hates Drones On A Visceral Level

A German drone (Reuters).

Retired General Cautions Against Overuse Of "Hated" Drones -- Reuters

Aerial reconnaissance and attack drones have had a liberating effect on U.S. military forces, but they are deeply hated by many people and their overuse could jeopardize Washington's broader objectives, retired General Stanley McChrystal said on Monday.

McChrystal, who authored the U.S. counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan, said use of drones had enabled him to carry out missions with smaller groups of special operations forces because the "eye in the sky" provided backup security.

"What scares me about drone strikes is how they are perceived around the world," he said in an interview. "The resentment created by American use of unmanned strikes ... is much greater than the average American appreciates. They are hated on a visceral level, even by people who've never seen one or seen the effects of one."

Read more ....

Update #1: The General Who Ran US Drones Admits They Cause 'Visceral Resentment' Toward America -- Business Insider
Update #2: Even Stanley McChrystal Realizes How Much the World Hates Our Drones -- The Atlantic

My Comment: The world may hate drones .... but as I had pointed out in the previous post .... a global arms race is now happening because the major powers in the world are now rushing to develop and manufacture their own fleet of drones.

General McChrystal And Aides Cleared Of Any Wrong Doing

The Rolling Stone article that resulted in General Stanley McChrystal's sacking as US commander in Afghanistan.

Pentagon Inquiry Into Article Clears McChrystal And Aides -- Stars And Stripes

WASHINGTON – Inflammatory statements about civilian officials that cost the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan his job last year could not be independently confirmed or were taken out of context, according to a Department of Defense report released Monday.

Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal was recalled to Washington by President Barack Obama and resigned in June in the wake of a Rolling Stone article that reported senior members of his staff had made mocking remarks about Vice President Joe Biden and security advisers to the president.

Read more ....

More News On The Clearing Of General McChrystal And His Aides

Rolling Stone Statement on the Pentagon's McChrystal Report -- Rolling Stone
Pentagon Inquiry Into Article Clears McChrystal and Aides -- New York Times
He didn't do anything wrong: Pentagon clears General McChrystal who was sacked by Obama over jibes in Rolling Stone article -- The Daily Mail
Pentagon Clears McCrystal Of Any Wrongdoing Described In Magazine Article -- NPR
Pentagon Review Clears Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal in 'Rolling Stone' Article Controversy -- ABC News
Evidence lacking for McChrystal allegations: report -- Reuters
General McChrystal did not violate US military policy, Pentagon finds -- The Guardian
McChrystal cleared of wrongdoing in Rolling Stone piece -- BBC
He lost his job, but probe finds McChrystal, aides did nothing wrong -- CNN
DOD probe clears Stanley McChrystal, aides -- Politico
Pentagon clears McChrystal of reported wrongdoing -- Xinhuanet
General Stanley McChrystal: profile -- The Telegraph
General Stanley McChrystal: career timeline -- The Telegraph

The Tillman Family Are Objecting To General McChrystal's Appointment To A White House Post

ABC News Exclusive: Pat Tillman’s Mom Wants General Stanley McChrystal Removed From White House Post -- ABC News

President Obama named retired General Stanley McChrystal to co-chair a White House commission on military families this week, but according to perhaps the most prominent military family of the last decade, McChrystal is unfit for that duty.

Mary Tillman, mother of Pat Tillman, the former professional football player turned Army Ranger who was tragically killed by friendly fire 7 years ago, is angered by McChrystal’s appointment, telling ABC News that he was part of the propaganda effort pushing the false tale that Tillman had been killed by the enemy, and keeping the truth from the world -- and their family.

Read more ....

More News On The Tillman's Objections To The Appointment Of General McChrystal To Co-Chair A White House Commission On Military Families

Mary Tillman Slams McChrystal’s New Role -- Military.com
Tillman's mom wants McChrystal off panel -- UPI
Mary Tillman: No Stanley McChrystal pick -- Politico
Report: Tillman's Mother Wants McChrystal Off Military Families Commission -- AoLNews
Obama's appointment of McChrystal criticized by Tillman family -- USA Today
Pat Tillman's Mom: McChrystal's Appointment A 'Slap In The Face' -- NPR
Pat Tillman's Mother: Stanley McChrystal Should Be Removed From White House Post -- Huffington Post
The Mother and the General -- Amy Davidson, The New Yorker

My Comment: I suspect that in private, some officials in the White house are regretting this choice.

Ret. General McChrystal Joins First Lady's Effort To Aid Military Families

President Obama met with McChrystal aboard Air Force One in 2009 during a stop in Denmark. CNN

McChrystal Joining First Lady's Effort To Aid Military Families -- L.A. Times

Retired Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal will serve as an advisor to First Lady Michelle Obama's Joining Forces campaign. The effort aims to enlist all sectors of society in a large-scale effort to help troops and their families.

Reporting from Washington — Retired Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who was relieved of command in Afghanistan last year, will advise a new national campaign led by First Lady Michelle Obama to help the nation's troops and their families, a White House official said.

McChrystal has been selected as an unpaid advisor to Joining Forces, an effort the first lady, along with Jill Biden, the vice president's wife, will unveil Tuesday at the White House.

The effort aims to enlist all sectors of society in ensuring "military families have the support they have earned," the first lady's office said.

Read more ....

More News On Ret. General McChrystal Joining First Lady's Effort To Aid Military Families

Fired general to head White House panel -- Reuters
McChrystal to lead effort to help troops and their families -- Washington Post
Fired US General to lead military families drive -- AFP
Stanley McChrystal to lead WH initiative to help military families -- CBS News
Gen. McChrystal's new post -- CNN
Embattled Retired General McChrystal to Team Up with Michelle Obama for Program for Military Families -- ABC News
McChrystal returns to lend a hand -- Politico

My Comment: This is a surprise. The last thing that I expect was Retired Army Gen. McChrystal working with this administration. Hmmmm .... I guess they made nice.

Where Is Former General McChrystal?

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who prefers to be called “Stan” by students, works closely with student and research assistant Eric Robinson GRD ’11. Photo by Jennifer Cheung.

Professor McChrystal -- Yale News

Before his students enter the classroom on a Tuesday morning in November, retired four-star Gen. Stanley McChrystal scrawls the phrase “TRUST AND RELATIONSHIPS” in all caps on the whiteboard.

Two months ago, a group of graduate and undergraduate students were intimidated by the University’s new star professor, but now they know better what to expect from his course titled “Leadership.”

“A seminar is like a team,” McChrystal said. “At the end of the day, they’re going to do better if they feel like a team, and so you’ve got to do whatever you can to foster that.”

The assembled students sit down, ready for another day in INRL 690a, the seminar McChrystal created to teach at Yale last semester.

Read more ....

My Comment: I suspect that his classes must be entertaining and informative. Sighhhh ..... makes me want to go back to university.

Hat Tip: Black Five

What Is General McChrystal Doing?

U.S. Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal addresses the audience during his retirement ceremony on Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., July 23, 2010. U.S. Army photo by D. Myles Cullen

General McChrystal To Lecture On Leadership At Yale Institute -- The Independent

Their new lecturer is certainly an expert in the fields of leadership
and international affairs, but students at Yale University may want to think twice before taking advice from him in the delicate art of modern public relations.

General Stanley McChrystal, the former commander of US forces in Afghanistan who was fired in June after an ill-advised interview with Rolling Stone magazine, has been hired as a senior fellow at the Ivy League college's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs.

Read more ....

My Comment: I suspect that his class is going to be a 'go-to' place for students of military history and leadership.

General McChrystal's Staff Is Now Under Invetigation Over Rolling Stone Interview

The Rolling Stone article that resulted in General Stanley McChrystal's sacking as US commander in Afghanistan.

Army Investigating McChrystal Staff Over Rolling Stone Interview -- McClatchy News

The U.S. Army inspector general is investigating whether aides to former Afghanistan commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal were insubordinate when they made a series of derogatory comments about top civilian leaders to a Rolling Stone reporter, McClatchy Newspapers has learned.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army inspector general is investigating whether aides to former Afghanistan commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal were insubordinate when they made a series of derogatory comments about top civilian leaders to a Rolling Stone reporter, McClatchy Newspapers has learned.

Read more ....

My Comment: I am sure that some of these aides and officers are going to be punished severely. Rule of thumb .... do not drink with a reporter when everything is on the record .... and/or even if it is off the record.

General McChrystal To Keep His Fourth Star

Image: General Stanley McChrystal. Photo AFP

Obama To Guarantee McChrystal A 4-Star Pension -- Reuters

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama will guarantee former Afghanistan commander General Stanley McChrystal a four-star pension despite firing him last week over comments disparaging civilian leaders.

McChrystal was sacked about a year after receiving his fourth star -- half the time normally necessary to qualify for a four-star general's retirement income of $12,475 per month, before taxes, according to Pentagon estimates based on his 34 years of service.

Read more ....

More News On General McChrystal Keeping His Fourth Star

Obama says McChrystal can keep fourth star -- AFP
Gen. Stanley McChrystal Will Retire With Four Stars, White House Says -- NPR
White House to let McChrystal retire with 4 stars -- CNN
White House: McChrystal to retire with 4 stars -- AP
Stanley McChrystal to retire with four-star rank -- Washington Post
Obama will allow McChrystal to retire with benefits of four-star general -- USA Today

The New York Times Wonders Why General McChrystal Was Fired

In a photo in the last issue of Rolling Stone, Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal is seen on board a C-130 aircraft over Afghanistan. (Navy Petty Officer, U.S. Navy/NATO / June 24, 2010)

McChrystal’s Quality Time With Rolling Stone: Impertinent? Check. Insubordinate? Maybe Not. -- New York Times

You could say General Stanley A. McChrystal was a victim of his own hubris – the archetypal field commander who got too intemperate with the suits back at headquarters.

Then again, you might not.

Let’s stipulate that allowing a reporter from Rolling Stone with a skeptic’s view of the war in Afghanistan unfettered access for a month was not the best career move. But those who’ve read the full piece by Michael Hastings — as opposed to just the juicy bits being tossed around cable news — might be forgiven for wondering what exactly got him whacked so quickly. Or at least, you might wonder if it has less to do with what the general said and more to do with the relentless velocity and recklessness of the modern media ecosystem.

Read more ....

My Comment: The paragraph that caught my eye in this New York Time's report was the following ....

.... The general is not quoted at any length in Mr. Hasting’s piece, but from my close reading, here is what he did: said that Vice President was prone to unexpected public statements, moaned audibly when he got an incoming mail from diplomatic envoy Richard Holbrooke, and complained that the White House took a long time to review his war plan. That’s it. The rest was all atmospherics and innuendo ....

Wow .... I never expect critical or objective reporting from the New York Times on any issue that involves President Obama. But this article is a zinger .... and the reporter is 100% right in his analysis. Read also the comments on this New York Times piece .... opinion is split on both sides.

Unfortunately, the NYT reporter does not examine the question on why General McChrystal was fired. If it was not for insubordination .... why was he let go so quickly?

My guess .... a few days before being fired, General McChrystal had issued a bleak assessment on the pace of the war in Afghanistan. I am sure that President Obama (and his aides) .... when reading this negative assessment .... recognized how large of a mess (and quagmire) Afghanistan had become for his Presidency.

I do not know if President Obama gets mad at these things, but if I was him I would be steamed at General McChrystal for convincing me (last fall) that this was the strategy that should be adopted. A few days later .... with parts of the Rolling Stone's article being leaked and then published .... President Obama had the opening to get rid of the General that got him into this losing situation .... which he did in a very effective and astute manner.

Gen. McChrystal To Retire

General Stanley McChrystal - leaving the army.
Photograph: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Gen. McChrystal To Retire -- Wall Street Journal

Less than a week after President Barack Obama fired him as commander in Afghanistan over intemperate remarks to Rolling Stone magazine, Gen. Stanley McChrystal has told the Army his 34-year career in the military is over.

According to an Army spokesman, McChrystal today informed the office responsible for administering the careers of general officers that he intends to retire. The spokesman, Army Col. Thomas Collins, said McChrystal has yet to submit his formal retirement paperwork.

“We don’t have a date yet or anything like that,” Collins said.

Read more ....

More News On The Retirement Of General McChrystal

General Stanley McChrystal to retire from US military -- The Guardian
Gen Stanley McChrystal to retire -- The Telegraph
Cashiered general tells Army he'll retire -- AP
McChrystal to retire from military: US Army -- AFP
Army spokesman says McChrystal to retire -- CNN

My Comment: The only thing that is now left for General McChrystal is his pension .... and after that he can fade away.

Days Before Being Fired, General McChrystal Issued A Bleak Assessment On The War In Afghanistan

The President and General Stanley McChrystal. Photo from The Guardian

McChrystal's Bleak Outlook -- The Independent

President Obama lost patience with Runaway General's failed strategy.

Sacked US General Stanley McChrystal issued a devastatingly critical assessment of the war against a "resilient and growing insurgency" just days before being forced out.

Using confidential military documents, copies of which have been seen by the IoS, the "runaway general" briefed defence ministers from Nato and the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) earlier this month, and warned them not to expect any progress in the next six months. During his presentation, he raised serious concerns over levels of security, violence, and corruption within the Afghan administration.

Read more ....

My Comment: This explains why some bloggers and media pundits "in the know" were making comments last week that outlined how bleak the Afghan mission has become. I am sure that President Obama was also aware of this assessment, and was probably unhappy with its implications. A few days later .... with the Rolling Stone's article published .... President Obama had the opening to get rid of his General.

An Old Profile On General McChrystal From 60 Minutes (September 27, 2009)

McChrystal's Frank Talk On Afghanistan -- CBS News (60 Minutes)

General Tells 60 Minutes U.S. Needs to "Deprogram" Bad Habits And Change How The War Is Fought

President Obama is rethinking his entire strategy in Afghanistan after the new commander there stunned the White House with a warning the war could be lost if he doesn't get more troops in the next 12 months. General Stanley McChrystal is up against an enemy that holds the initiative, and he's working with an Afghan government shot through with corruption.

Even with more troops, he warns, there has to be "a dramatic change in how we operate." That stark assessment comes from a man who is perhaps this country's most battle-hardened general and, according to those who have served with him, a one-of-a-kind commander.

Read more ....

My Comment: And he is now gone, proving the point that every man/women in a uniform is dispensable regardless of rank.

The Inside Story On The Firing Of General McChrystal

McChrystal's Fate Sealed By Mockery Of French -- The Telegraph

Gen Stanley McChrystal's mockery of the French appeared to seal his fate in the eyes of Barack Obama, according to White House officials.

The first few paragraphs of the "Rolling Stone" article described Gen McChrystal and his aides engaging in profane, locker room jibes about his having to go to a dinner with a French minister. Mr Obama decided such disrespect to a key ally was unacceptable and he would have to go.

Read more ....

The Inside Story On The Firing Of General McChrystal

Short, Tense Deliberation, Then a General Is Gone -- New York Times
How Gen. Stanley McChrystal's downfall unfolded: What landed him in Worst Career Moves Hall of Fame -- New York Daily News
Decision to Dismiss McChrystal Came Swiftly -- Wall Street Journal
A rapid-fire chain of events led to Gen. McChrystal's downfall -- L.A. Times
Quick decision to sack Stanley McChrystal -- Politico
White House Moved Quickly to Replace McChrystal -- CBS News
Petraeus Pick Was President's Idea, Secretary Of Defense Robert Gates Says -- NPR
Gates says he agrees with Obama decision on McChrystal -- CNN
Adm. Mullen: McChrystal Story Nearly Made me Sick -- CBS News
DOD leaders: McChrystal firing necessary to preserve integrity -- Stars And Stripes
What Did Hillary Think about McChrystal’s Firing? -- EmptyWheel FingerDogLake

The Real General McChrystal Is Now Becoming Known

President Barack Obama meets with Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, aboard Air Force One in Copenhagen, Denmark on Oct. 2, 2009. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)

McChrystal's Social Liberalism and the Integration of Gays in the Military -- The Atlantic

The fact, revealed in Rolling Stone, that Gen. Stanley McChrystal voted for President Obama may well have been a planted nugget designed to show how receptive McChrystal was to Obama's worldview. But several people who worked for, and continue to work for, Gen. McChrystal say that it's true. McChrystal told his subordinates about his ballot choice in November of 2008. More surprisingly, this choice did not surprise them. McChrystal was a hard core operator, aggressive as hell, a JSOC ninja -- but he was also a social liberal who tolerated, nay, welcomed gay people into his inner circle, who disdained Fox News, and who grew increasingly frustrated with his reputation as Dick Cheney's hired assassin.

Read more ....

My Comment: Marc Ambinder focuses on the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy in this post, but his comments on General McChrystal confirms what I have been told (and what I have read) on his political/social leanings.

He is not a right wing/tea-party/social conservative in the military .... if anything .... he is the opposite. This is probably the reason why he felt comfortable with a reporter from Rolling Stone in his entourage (never a FOX news reporter), and why he (and his aides) said the things that they did. They believed they were with one their own .... and not a reporter who was going to publish what they were saying. As for his views on President Obama .... we now know that General McChrystal supported and voted for him in the Presidential election. With what has now happened, I suspect that his support for the President is no longer there.

On a side note, many in the media have been lamenting and commenting on the politicization of the military. They attention is focused on the right .... but after Ambinder's post what they (maybe) should do is focus on the left.

The Fall Of General McChrystal -- News Roundup

President Obama's Statement On The Termination of General McChrystal

Today I accepted General Stanley McChrystal’s resignation as commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. I did so with considerable regret, but also with certainty that it is the right thing for our mission in Afghanistan, for our military and for our country.

I’m also pleased to nominate General David Petraeus to take command in Afghanistan, which will allow us to maintain the momentum and leadership that we need to succeed.

Read more ....

White House Photo, Samantha Appleton, 6/23/10

More News On The Firing Of General McChrystal

Decision to Dismiss McChrystal Came Swiftly -- Wall Street Journal
A rapid-fire chain of events led to Gen. McChrystal's downfall -- L.A. Times
Quick decision to sack Stanley McChrystal -- Politico
McChrystal out; Petraeus picked for Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AP
White House Moved Quickly to Replace McChrystal -- CBS News
Obama Says Afghan Policy Won’t Change After Dismissal -- New York Times
Obama relieves McChrystal of his duties; names Petraeus as replacement -- Washington Post
Obama Taps Petreaus, Who Saved Bush in Iraq, to Save War Effort in Afghanistan -- FOX News
McChrystal Out, Petraeus Takes Over -- Defense Tech
Into the Breach Once More for a Resourceful General -- New York Times
Levin: Petraeus hearings 'no later than next Tuesday' -- The Hill
New General Is a Politician -- Wall Street Journal
McChrystal Aides Shocked, ‘Heartbroken’ After Mag Profile (Updated) -- The Danger Room
McChrystal article is right up Rolling Stone's alley -- L.A. Times
The McChrystal Rolling Stone article: the story behind the story -- Christian science Monitor
How 'Rolling Stone' Got Into McChrystal's Inner Circle -- Newsweek

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials

America needs an Afghan strategy, not an alibi -- Henry A. Kissinger, Washington Post
A McChrystal Endnote -- Victor Davis Hanson, National Review
Obama: Hostage To Petraeus -- Andrew Sullivan, The Atlantic
In choosing Petraeus, Obama doubles down on Afghanistan war strategy -- Politico
Gen. David Petraeus takes over in Afghanistan: Will it make a difference? -- Christian Science Monitor
So what now? -- Bill Nagle, Small Wars Journal
He Was Undisciplined. Period. -- Marc Ambinder, The Atlantic
What’s Second Prize? -- Thomas Friedman, New York Times
Does Petraeus Mean a Return of Afghanistan Air War? -- Noah Shachtman, The Danger Room
Why Obama Had to Fire McChrystal -- Noah Shachtman, The Danger Room
The Petraeus Hail Mary: Obama makes a wise choice, but the general needs more support. -- Wall Street Journal editorial
In Afghanistan, a New General -- But An Old Strategy -- CBS News
Rolling Stone's Afghan grenade -- Howard Kurtz, Washington Post
McChrystal case forces us to confront the real question -- Jay Bookman, AJC
McChrystal and the strategy -- Ben Smith, Politico
Did McChrystal Just Put the Whole War in Jeopardy? -- The Danger Room
Judging McChrystal's War -- Max Boot, New York Times
Difficult Afghan mission gets harder -- Rajiv Chandrasekaran, MSNBC

Army General Stanley McChrystal, commander of the U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, listens to a question from a reporters in the briefing room of the White House in Washington in this May 10, 2010 file photo. Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

General McChrystal's Statement After Meeting With President Obama

This morning the President accepted my resignation as Commander of U.S. and NATO Coalition Forces in Afghanistan. I strongly support the President’s strategy in Afghanistan and am deeply committed to our coalition forces, our partner nations, and the Afghan people. It was out of respect for this commitment — and a desire to see the mission succeed — that I tendered my resignation.

It has been my privilege and honor to lead our nation’s finest.

-- General McChrystal - New York Times Transcript

My Comment: And so he fades away .... but the Afghan war still continues .... 6 NATO-led troops killed in Afghanistan today.

Pesident Obama Fires General McChrystal. Will Be Replaced By General Petraeus

McChrystal Out, Petraeus In -- L.A. Times

Obama fires the top commander in Afghanistan after McChrystal makes disparaging comments about civilian leaders, published in Rolling Stone. 'I welcome debate, but I won't tolerate division,' the president says.

Reporting from Washington — President Obama ousted his top commander in Afghanistan Wednesday after officials determined that comments he and his staff made in a Rolling Stone magazine article amounted to insubordination.

Obama said he accepted Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal's resignation and, in an equally stunning move, said he had appointed Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, who once led U.S. forces in Iraq, as his successor.

Read more ....

My Comment: After serving for 34 years .... General McChrystal's career is now over. Tonight .... the only ones who will be celebrating this turn of events will be the Taliban.

Full analysis and coverage of today's events will be posted at 21:00 EST.

General McChrystal News Roundup -- June 23, 2010

Photo from The White House

Obama To Confront General McChrystal -- Yahoo News/Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama will confront his top Afghanistan commander on Wednesday before deciding whether to fire him over inflammatory comments that have angered the White House and threaten to undermine the war effort.

Summoned from Afghanistan to meet with Obama, General Stanley McChrystal will be asked to explain remarks he and his aides made in a Rolling Stone magazine article that disparaged the president and mocked other senior civilian leaders.

Read more ....

More News On General McChrystal

The Runaway General -- Michael Hastings, Rolling Stone

Job on line, general must explain remarks to Obama -- Yahoo News/AP
McChrystal's job at risk ahead of Obama meeting -- Yahoo News/AFP
Gen. Stanley McChrystal to Face Obama: 'I've Compromised the Mission' -- ABC News
President to Decide McChrystal's Future After Critical Comments -- Voice of America
McChrystal Tests Obama’s Priorities -- New York Times
Afghan Leaders Defend McChrystal -- New York Times
McChrystal article renews attention to split with Biden over Afghanistan -- Washington Post
Biden v. McChrystal -- Politico
McChrystal Aides Shocked, ‘Heartbroken’ After Mag Profile -- The Danger Room
In Afghanistan, as in Iraq, a New Breed of Commander Stepped In -- New York Times
How 'Rolling Stone' Got Into McChrystal's Inner Circle -- Newsweek
McChrystal aimed to send message to Obama, says interviewer -- New York Post/AFP

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials

Obama and McChrystal: Reasons to go, reasons to stay -- USA Today
Rolling Stone's Afghan grenade -- Howard Kurtz, Washington Post
McChrystal case forces us to confront the real question -- Jay Bookman, AJC
McChrystal and the strategy -- Ben Smith, Politico
Did McChrystal Just Put the Whole War in Jeopardy? -- The Danger Room
Judging McChrystal's War -- Max Boot, New York Times
Fire McChrystal? A new test for Obama -- USA Today
McChrystal -- Joe Klein, Time Magazine
Is Gen. Stanley McChrystal someone the president can afford to fire? -- Washington Post
McChrystal Apologizes, But The Question Remains: Defrock The Pope? -- Spencer Ackerman, Attackerman
The President and His General -- New York Times editorial
McChrystal Remarks Sad But Not Surprising -- J.D. Gordon, FOX News
Why President Obama should keep Gen. McChrystal -- Washington Post editorial

BREAKING: A Replacement For General McChrystal Is Being Actively Discussed

Breaking: General Stanley McChrystal Tenders His Resignation -- The Telegraph

A senior Capitol Hill source tells me that General Stanley McChrystal had tendered his resignation to President Barack Obama and that the White House is actively discussing a replacement who could be quickly confirmed by the Senate.

The source said that among the names being touted as possible successors are General James Mattis, the outgoing head of the US Joint Forces Command and due to retire after being passed over as US Marine Corps commander, and Lieutenant General William Caldwell, commander of Nato’s Training Mission in Afghanistan.

Read more ....

My Comment: There are many leaks coming out of Washington on General McChrystal right now .... but one thing is clear .... General McChrystal's resignation will be accepted by President Obama tomorrow.

President Obama Comments On General McChrystal

McChrystal Showed 'Poor Judgment' In Rolling Stone Interview, Obama Says -- L.A. Times

President Obama said comments attributed to Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal in a magazine profile showed "poor judgment," but he would wait until meeting with him Wednesday before determining whether to replace his top commander in Afghanistan.

The president's comments came Tuesday after a Cabinet meeting. Obama added that whatever decision he made would be guided by whether the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan was the right one.

Read more ....

More News On President Obama's Comments On General McChrystal

McChrystal Offers Resignation; Obama Awaits Arrival -- Time Magazine
Obama: I'll Decide on Firing McChrystal After Meeting -- CBS
Obama says war general showed 'poor judgment' -- AP
Obama: McChrystal Showed 'Poor Judgment' -- New York Daily News
Obama 'angry' about McChrystal article -- UPI

My Comment: General McChrystal has already tendered his resignation .... it is now up to President Obama to accept it or not.

I guess we will know the answer tomorrow.

General McChrystal Spills The Beans On President Obama And His National Security Team

Furious President Obama Summons Gen. Stanley McChrystal To D.C. -- Politico

The top commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, has been summoned to the White House to explain biting and unflattering remarks he made to a freelance writer about President Barack Obama and others in the Obama administration.

The face-to-face comes as pundits are already calling for McChrystal to resign for insubordination.

McChrystal has been instructed to fly from Kabul to Washington today to attend Obama’s regular monthly security team meeting tomorrow at the White House.

Read more ....

More News On General McChrystal

The Runaway General (The Full Article from Rolling Stone) -- MSNBC/Rolling Stone

The Rolling Stone Article's Juiciest Bits -- The Atlantic
5 'insubordinate' quotes in Rolling Stone's Stanley McChrystal profile -- The Week
Excerpts from Rolling Stone article on Gen. McChrystal -- CNN
McChrystal Rolling Stone Interview: Quotes, Comments About Obama And Colleagues (SLIDESHOW) -- Huffington Post

White House summons US general to explain himself -- Yahoo News/AP
White House summons McChrystal -- Reuters
Top Afghan Commander Summoned to Washington -- ABC News
Gen. Stanley McChrystal coming to Washington to explain anti-administration comments -- Washington Post
McChrystal Is Summoned to Washington Over Remarks -- New York Times
Gen. Stanley McChrystal: Latest developments -- CNN
NATO setbacks in Afghanistan as US summons commander -- AFP
"Runaway General" Called to White House -- ABC News
Furious Obama summons top U.S. general to Washington after magazine article mocks senior White House officials -- The Daily Mail
Obama Officials Aghast and Angry Over Gen. McChrystal Comments -- ABC News
Gen. McChrystal Recalled to Washington Over 'Rolling Stone' Article -- The Nation
McChrystal recalled to Washington over Rolling Stone article -- McClatchy News
Daily brief: Gen. McChrystal recalled to Washington -- Foreign Policy
White House Incensed Over Gen. McChrystal's Comments to Rolling Stone -- Vanity Fair
Aides to U.S. General In Afghanistan Slam Obama - Report -- New York Times/Reuters
McChrystal -- UPI
McChrystal on Defensive for Remarks -- Wall Street Journal
McChrystal fires aide -- CNN
In 'Rolling Stone' Article, Gen. McChrystal Criticizes Biden And Holbrooke -- NPR
Magazine profile captures unguarded moments of top general, staff -- L.A. Times
Top Afghanistan general questions civilian leaders -- Politico
Rolling Stone Editor: McChrystal didn't push back -- Politico
McChrystal Apologies for Incendiary Article -- The Danger Room
McChrystal apologizes: Gen. walks back explosive profile -- Politico
McChrystal Apologizes for Insulting Obama Team to Magazine -- Washington Examiner

Opinions And Commentaries

The Night Beat: What the Heck Was McChrystal Thinking? -- Marc Ambinder, The Atlantic
What Will Determine McChrystal's Fate? -- Marc Ambinder, The Atlantic
Did "The Runaway General" McChrystal Go Too Far in Rolling Stone Interview? -- ABC News
McChrystal's White House Criticism Complicates War -- The Atlantic
Does Barack Obama have the guts to keep General Stanley McChrystal? -- Tony Harnden, The Telegraph
I confidently predict Obama will sack General Stanley McChrystal for his Rolling Stone outburst -- Con Coughlin, The Telegraph
Why Obama Won't Fire McChrystal -- James P. Pinkerton, FOX News
Gen. McChrystal must go -- Washington Post
Obama Has to Fire McChrystal -- James Fallows, The Atlantic
McChrystal’s real offense -- Byron York, Washington Examiner