Sacked Commander Wrong for New Afghan Strategy

McKiernan's approach in Afghanistan too 'conventional,' officials say

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted May 12, 2009 8:11 AM CDT

(Newser) – David McKiernan was dumped as top American commander in Afghanistan yesterday, after less than a year, because his approach was too “conventional,” Pentagon officials tell the New York Times. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said “fresh eyes were needed” and “a new approach was probably in our best interest.” McKiernan’s replacement ran commando operations in Iraq and is trained in “unconventional warfare” focused on keeping the population safe.

The Afghanistan mission “requires new thinking and new approaches by our military leaders,” Gates said. Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal headed operations to capture Saddam Hussein and kill the head of al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. He plans to choose about 400 officers and troops who would spend several years moving between deployments in Afghanistan and assignments back in the US focused on Afghan strategy and training, in an effort to “develop a group of people who give you continuity, expertise, and relationships,” said an official.

In this April 2, 2003 file photo, then-Maj. Gen. Stanley McChrystal takes part in a briefing at the Pentagon. McChrystal will replace Gen. David McKiernan. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

In this photo taken May 8, 2009, U.S. Army Gen. David D. McKiernan is seen during a visit with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool)

Gen. David McKiernan is seen after arriving with Afghan interior minister Hanif Atmar, unseen, west of Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, April 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Fraidoon Pooyaa)

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, center, and US Army General David McKiernan, Commander of US Forces in Afghanistan , right, visit a base in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, Friday, May 8, 2009. (AP Photo / Jason Reed)

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Sacked Commander Wrong for New Afghan Strategy

McKiernan's approach in Afghanistan too 'conventional,' officials say

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Taliban: Prince Harry Shouldn't Kill

'Captain Wales' to return to Afghanistan this year; he'll be Taliban target

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

More than 3K killed, mostly by Taliban

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

ISI providing direct assistance, says secret NATO report viewed by the BBC

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Sacked Commander Wrong for New Afghan Strategy

McKiernan's approach in Afghanistan too 'conventional,' officials say

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • military strategy • Afghanistan war • ouster • David McKiernan • Stanley McChrystal

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Taliban: Prince Harry Shouldn't Kill

'Captain Wales' to return to Afghanistan this year; he'll be Taliban target

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

More than 3K killed, mostly by Taliban

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

ISI providing direct assistance, says secret NATO report viewed by the BBC

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Newser By Users

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