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New Afghanistan Commander Is Warrior-Scholar

Workaholic McChrystal has shadowy past, links to spy agencies

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2009 7:52 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the designated new American commander in Afghanistan, has a reputation for hard work and self-denial: He sleeps for just a few hours and eats only one meal a day. Colleagues describe McChrystal, the current director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as an ideal combination of fighter and thinker. "He’s got all the Special Ops attributes, plus an intellect," said one retired major general.

Between 2003 and 2008 McChrystal ran the Joint Special Operations Command, which for years the Pentagon said did not exist. There he reshaped an insular unit and built alliances with the FBI and CIA, although he came into conflict with Donald Rumsfeld when the then-defense secretary canceled a plan to assassinate Osama bin Laden's deputy. "He knows intelligence, he knows covert action, and he knows the value of partnerships," said one Afghanistan veteran.

Stanley A. McChrystal, left, will become the new top commander of the American military in Afghanistan.
Stanley A. McChrystal, left, will become the new top commander of the American military in Afghanistan.   (Getty Images)
Major Gen. Stanley McChrystal briefs reporters on progress in the war with Iraq during a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington in this April 14, 2003 file photo.
Major Gen. Stanley McChrystal briefs reporters on progress in the war with Iraq during a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington in this April 14, 2003 file photo.   (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, file)
McChrystal will replace Gen. David McKiernan as the top general in Afghanistan as President Barack Obama tries to turn around a stalemated war, defense officials said.
McChrystal will replace Gen. David McKiernan as the top general in Afghanistan as President Barack Obama tries to turn around a stalemated war, defense officials said.   (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, FILE)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Fondue
May 13, 2009 1:32 AM CDT
"Donald Rumsfeld [...] the then-defense secretary canceled a plan to assassinate Osama bin Laden's deputy" --WHAT? I hope this guy gets us the #uck out of this sh!t hole. No offence Afghanistan.

So secret his name wasn't in the Pentagon directory
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A background in special forces and asymmetric warfare
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Afghanistan • Pentagon • Joint Chiefs of Staff • US military • Afghanistan war • Joint Special Operations Command • Stanley McChrystal

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