Today President Obama did what he needed to do. In accepting the resignation of Afghanistan commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal the President asserted civilian control of the military, showed himself to be a strong leader and served notice that disrespect verging on rank insubordination cannot be tolerated.
Revelations that came out yesterday about a story in an upcoming issue of Rolling Stone Magazine appeared to show the general and his staff openly contemptuous of the authority of the Vice President, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Ambassador to Afghanistan and the National Security Advisor. A reference to the President himself was in a similar vein. The quotes have to be seen to be believed. Click here for a synopsis.
An attitude that would not be acceptable for a lieutenant with respect to a captain or major certainly cannot be permitted with respect to the top members of the chain of command. Obama would have been seen as weak beyond redemption had he not reined in such public humiliation.
Fortunately, the highly respected and proven effective counterinsurgency leader Gen. David Petraeus was available and willing to take a step down from theater commander to take McChrystal's place at the head of operations in Afghanistan. But even if he hadn't been, Obama would have needed to make the change. A soldier who doesn't know enough to act like one cannot be trusted in a position like McChrystal held. Obama correctly acted without delay in getting rid of him. This was a job well done.
No comments:
Post a Comment