Wednesday, June 23, 2010

General McChrystal Replaced By General Petraeus In Afghanistan, President Obama Announced

General Stanley Allen McChrystal resigns amid controversial comments.

Obama's decision sparks Freedom of Speech debate during war time, and General David Petraeus takes over Afghanistan war effort

By H. Nelson Goodson
June 23, 2010

Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday, President Barack Obama announced that he accepted General Stanley Allen McChrystal's resignation, "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 welcome debate among my team, but won't tolerate division." Obama appointed General David Petraeus to head the U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
"The conduct represented in the recently published article does not meet the standard that should be set by a commanding general. It undermines the civilian control of the military that is at the core of our democratic system.  And it erodes the trust that’s necessary for our team to work together to achieve our objectives in Afghanistan... That includes adherence to a strict code of conduct. The strength and greatness of our military is rooted in the fact that this code applies equally to newly enlisted privates and to the general officer who commands them," Obama said.
Obama's administration viewed McChrystal's and his staff comments as negative and controversial for crticising the administrations handling of the Afghanistan conflict in an article published by the Rolling Stone Magazine that let to his resignation.
Obama made it clear, that officials need to be held to higher standards and should keep from making comments critical to the chain of command. McChrystal's comments could impede the U.S. efforts "to succeed in Afghanistan and dismantle Al-Queda," Obama said.
The U.S. Senate will have to approve General Petraeus appointment, which is expected to be approve by next Tuesday.
Obama's decision sparked the Freedom of Speech debate and if it extends to the military, especially during war. McChrystal's resignation might limit criticism towards Obama, his administration and the government by the 90,000 troops assigned and on duty in Afghanistan.

President Barack Obama meets with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Situation Room of the White House on June 23, 2010. Obama replaced General Stanley Allen McChrystal with General Petraeus to take command of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Seated in table are, from left, General David Petraeus, head of U.S. Central Command; Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Robert M. Gates, Defense Secretary; Vice President Joe Biden; President Barack H. Obama; General James L. Jones, National Security Advisor; Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State; Rahm Emanuel, Chief of Staff; Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Advisor; and John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

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