General alert

Couldn't pass on the opportunity to comment on the firing of Gen. Stanley McChrystal (commander of all U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan) by US President Obama yesterday.

Obstinately, because of the candid and critical comments attributed to him and his aides in a recent Rolling Stone magazine article, The Runaway General.

While I haven't yet read the article, I'm still not convinced that his firing was appropriate or even necessary.

Yes, the war effort in particular and military policy is the purview of the civilian authorities; i.e. the "Commander-in-Chief " US President, his Cabinet and advisors. And, yes, McChrysal was impolitic in publicly airing his--and his aides--critical and negative opinions of the president and his extended civilian team of advisors. However, was it really a fire-able offense?

Was it more an issue of trying to change team leaders in the face of unsuccessful military campaign in Afghanistan? Punishment for not toeing the line vis-à-vis the Administration plans? Was it personal? Was it just an excellent opportunity for Obama to demonstrate he's really decisive and able to get angry (in response to the criticism about his handling of the BP oil spill)?

I don't see the situation in the same light as Harry S Truman's firing of Gen. Douglas McArthur (you think there's a bias/prejuice against the Mc people??). In that case, there was a clear refusal to carry out a Presidental order. Here's there's a question about the development of policy. Once issued, he pursued the order vigourously and in good faith.

It's becoming clearer that despite the 'primitive' nature of Afghanistan, it has defeated the two greatest modern military machines, the USSR in the 1980s and the USA in the 2000s. The counter-insurgency approach only works if you can get the support of the local/indigenous population. Currently, the US/NATO forces are views not as liberators but just another foreign occupying force. The political/social culture continues unabatedly. Unless, its essence is deciphered by the NATO forces quickly and soon, the war (assuming it's directed at Al Quada and its Taliban supporters) will be a complete failure.

So, I wish Gen. David Petraus the best of luck in his new assignment. One only hopes, he'll be able to convince his civilian supervisors how to adjust their war plans to better ensure victory or plan for a dignified withdrawal of forces. His legacy is at stake.