The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan resigns after he made critical and negative comments to a magazine reporter about the Obama administration.
General Stanley McChrystal and his team made those comments to a Rolling Stone reporter earlier this month.
It's decided. General Stanley McChrystal steps down from his military post and will no longer be leading troops in Afghanistan.
McChrystal was well-liked by the Afghan president who says progress was being made in the war-torn country.
Political expert Paul Rozycki says, McChrystal's removal could change the direction of the war, and that it could send the message that President Obama cares more about this image than a successful war.
Rozycki says, "I think the bigger issue may be the comments McChrystal made do indicate some real dissent within the administration over the war."
President Obama says the decision was not based on being insulted but rather upholding integrity.
President Obama says, "As difficult as it is to lose General McChrystal, I believe it is the right decision for our national security. The conduct represented in the recently published article does not meet the standard that should be set by a commanding general."
Senator Carl Levin says, "I am troubled by General McChrystal's reported comments. However, it is very significant that, while the reported comments reflect personal differences, they do not reflect differences in policy on prosecuting the war."
John McCain's brother, Joe McCain called for McChrystal to be fired. He says, "If it's true, President Obama has no choice but to relieve General McChrystal. He has to fire him or be a historically irresponsible Commander-in-Chief."
President Obama says it wasn't an easy decision, but that it was the best choice.
President Obama has named General David Petraeus to succeed McChrystal as the top commander in Afghanistan.
