General McChrystal, the Commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, will be conducting his monthly meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan with President Obama in person. The meeting, which was previously scheduled for Wednesday and is typically held via secure video-conferencing, will be in person at the request of Obama because of a controversial profile published on McChrystal.
The article featured in the June 24 Rolling Stone quotes McChrystal criticizing the President as well as members of his administration.
McChrystal, in reference to one of his first meetings with Obama said that he, “looked uncomfortable and intimidated,” in a roomful of military personnel.
An advisor to McChrystal adds, “It was a 10-minute photo op. Obama clearly didn’t know anything about him, who he was. Here’s a guy who’s going to run his fucking war, but he didn’t seem very engaged.”
Titled, “Runaway General,” the article continues to quote McChrystal to say, “Are you asking about Vice President Biden? Who’s that?” Following with a quip from an aide, “Biden? Did you say: Bite Me?” The magazine, which will be released later this week, quotes a McChrystal aid calling National Security Adviser, and retired four-star general Jim Jones a, “clown, stuck in 1985.”
McChrystal displays feelings of being “betrayed,” by U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, after a cable he wrote was leaked critiquing McChrystal’s war strategy. “Here’s one that covers his flak for the history books. Now if we fail, they can say ‘I told you so,’” said McChrystal.
McChrystal who, a British officer said, “The fucking lads love,” has since issued a public apology for the profile, which was sent to news organizations last night. “I extend my sincerest apology for this profile. It was a mistake reflecting poor judgment and should never have happened,” he said in a Pentagon statement.
“Throughout my career, I have lived by the principles of personal honor and professional integrity. What is reflected in this article falls far short of that standard,” he continued. Some are calling for McChrystal to step down from his current post; while others insist the administration fire him. He is expected to arrive in Washington today.