General Petraeus Picked to Head Military Efforts in Afghanistan
Washington — President Obama has named General David Petraeus, the head of the U.S. Central Command, to replace General Stanley McChrystal as commander of U.S. and NATO coalition forces in Afghanistan, following Obama’s acceptance of McChrystal’s resignation.
“War is bigger than any one man or woman, whether a private, a general or a president. And as difficult as it is to lose General McChrystal, I believe that it is the right decision for our national security,” Obama told reporters June 23 at the White House.
Petraeus, whose current command oversees the operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq, was a full participant in the Obama administration’s 2009 strategy review for Afghanistan, and supported and helped to design the current strategy of building up the capacity of Afghan governance and security while breaking the momentum of the Taliban, the president said.
“This is a change in personnel but it is not a change in policy,” Obama said. Petraeus “has worked closely with the Afghan and Pakistan governments and with all our partners in the region,” and he “has my full confidence,” the president said.
As America’s top commander in Iraq, Petraeus oversaw the successful “surge” that dramatically reduced violence in that country, setting the stage for political reform and continued progress on reconstruction and economic development. He has led U.S. operations in Afghanistan and Iraq since October 2008, at the Central Command.
McChrystal offered to resign his command after Rolling Stone magazine published statements made by him and his staff that were critical of senior Obama administration officials; Obama said such conduct “does not meet the standard that should be set by a commanding general.” Defense Secretary Robert Gates said June 22 that McChrystal had “made a significant mistake and exercised poor judgment in this case.”
Obama said the U.S. military and its role in government are dependent on a strict code of conduct and respect for civilian control of the military, and that McChrystal’s remarks undermined that balance and eroded the trust the president needs among his civilian and military advisers to achieve U.S. objectives in Afghanistan.
“Our democracy depends upon institutions that are stronger than individuals. That includes strict adherence to the military chain of command, and respect for civilian control over that chain of command. And that’s why, as commander in chief, I believe this decision is necessary to hold ourselves accountable to standards that are at the core of our democracy,” Obama said.
In a June 23 statement, McChrystal expressed strong support for President Obama’s strategy in Afghanistan, as well as a deep commitment to coalition partners 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,” he said.
The president said his decision to accept McChrystal’s resignation was not made because of policy or personal differences and he paid tribute to the general’s long military service and his “extraordinary dedication, his deep intelligence and his love of country.”
“It saddens me to lose the service of a soldier who I’ve come to respect and admire,” Obama said. “But the reasons that led me to this decision are the same principles that have supported the strength of our military and our nation since the founding.”
Obama urged the U.S. Senate to confirm Petraeus “as swiftly as possible" and said the United States will “persist and … persevere” in Afghanistan.
“We will not tolerate a safe haven for terrorists who want to destroy Afghan security from within and launch attacks against innocent men, women and children in our country and around the world,” he said.
“We have a clear goal,” Obama said. “We are going to break the Taliban’s momentum. We are going to build Afghan capacity. We are going to relentlessly apply pressure on al-Qaida and its leadership, strengthening the ability of both Afghanistan and Pakistan to do the same.”
