Obama Accepts Resignation of McChrystal, Names Patraeus as Replacement

President Barack Obama ousted General Stanley McChrystal as the commanding general in Afghanistan on Wednesday, after the controversial remarks he made in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine.

Obama said that the remarks about the current administration undermined the control of the civilians on the military and damaged the trust of the leadership in place to conduct war.

“We are in full agreement about our strategy," Obama said following his decision. "But war is bigger than any one man. I welcome debate among my team, but I won't tolerate division. I believe it is the right decision for our national security."

General David Petraeus, head of the military’s Central Command, will take over the role of commanding General in Afghanistan. Petraeus was the command behind the U.S. military surge into Iraq in 2007.

The switch comes a time when the there are thousands of additional troops set to move into the region, ahead of a planned operation in Kandahar, which could prove to be central to the military campaign which has been ongoing for nine years.

The issue arose when McChrystal’s comments in Rolling Stone Magazine were made public ahead of the Friday publication date, in which he and aides are portrayed as standing apart from the U.S. military chain of command, and was quoted as being critical of Vice President Joseph Biden and other members of the administration.

Obama said that McChrystal showed “poor judgment,” but praised his military career as one that a nation could be proud of.

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