Gen. McChrystal Assumes Afghan Command

4-Star Former Special Operations Chief Takes Over War, Vowing To Reduce Civilian Deaths

(AP)  Gen. Stanley McChrystal, a four-star American general with a long history in special operations, took charge of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan on Monday, a change of command the Pentagon hopes will turn the tide in an increasingly violent eight-year war.

McChrystal took command from Gen. David McKiernan during a low-key ceremony at the heavily fortified headquarters of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in central Kabul. McKiernan was fired last month by Defense Secretary Robert Gates one year into a two-year assignment.

McChrystal, a former commanding general of the Joint Special Operations Command, is expected to bring a more unconventional approach to a war that has turned increasingly violent the last three years.

"The Afghan people are at the center of our mission. In reality, they are the mission. We must protect them from violence, whatever its nature. We must respect their religion and traditions," McChrystal said. "But while operating with care, we will not be timid."

McChrystal will command the largest international force ever in Afghanistan. A record 56,000 U.S. troops are in the country, alongside 32,000 forces from 41 other countries.

American troops have poured into Helmand province the last several weeks in an effort to stamp out an insurgency that has a strong hold in the world's largest opium-poppy growing region.

McChrystal told the BBC in an interview last week said U.S. troops would be in Afghanistan for a long time to come.

"I think it will go on until we achieve the kind of progress we want to achieve," he said. "It won't be short."

McChrystal met with President Hamid Karzai on Sunday, who warned the American general that the "most important element of the mission" is to protect Afghan civilians.

Civilian casualties during military operations have long been a point of friction between Karzai and the U.S. The most contentious examples of civilian deaths in U.S. military operations in recent years have involved U.S. Special Operations Forces, which McChrystal used to command.

The four-star general has already pledged to reduce the number of Afghan villagers killed in fighting, saying he intends to review U.S. and allied operating procedures with an eye to minimizing civilian deaths.

"Although I expect stiff fighting ahead, the measure of effectiveness will not be enemy killed. It will be the number of Afghans shielded from violence," he said during testimony before Congress this month.

He also said that if he could obtain more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, it would sharpen the precision of allied attacks, thereby avoiding unwanted casualties.

Militant attacks have risen steadily in the last three years and have reached a new high. U.S. Gen. David Petraeus said Afghanistan saw 400 insurgent attacks during the first week of June. In comparison, there were less than 50 attacks per week in January 2004.

[ajjaxtheleast]

Oh American 4-star Generals are so very kind and thoughtful.

I cant wait for an American 4-star general to come to our

country and vow not to kill any more of us than he has to.

(Not into the first sentense and we're hit with
*** 2-"4-star" blasts ***

,,,,And now knowing that the good "4-star General McCrystal"
doesn't go to the toilet like the rest of us you will not
only believe his vow but it will affect a subliminal
believe that there is a reason for us
to be in Afghanistan.)

[ajjaxtheleast]

Atleast Bush told the big lie to get us into Iraq
to commit his war crime.

What overwhelming mandate is Obama screaming at
us as to why WE will be going into
Afhganistan to commit OURS???

Or is it now so expected that America will go
stomping into another country with or
without a reason on one of it's
unspoken "projects" that no
explaination is
necessary?,,,


QUICK,,!!WHY ARE WE GOING INTO AFGHANISTAN,,!!??

"WE AH,, WE AH,, THEE AH,,THEE AH,,,THAT'S ALL, FOLKS,!!!

[remeber]

we have been in this region for as long as i can remember, why do you people think we should pull out time and time again, we are there and should be there for as long as needed. we need to support human life, and freedoms for all people in all regions of this world we live in. Stop being selfish and nerrow minded when it comes to you, and not what is best for all of mankind. I served in the military, and I did put my life at risk for the betterment of life, not just for the u.s.a. I under stand the belief of no wars you vietnam era people. but reality is their going to come here if you dont stop them there. wake up and smell the roses

[mainermike]

This is AS I SEE IT, by Mike "Mainer Mike" Brown.

Good luck, McChrystal. Why anyone would want your job is beyond me.

This is a war that will never be won. Sure, we'll get the upper hand at times. But it will only be temporary gains, as the terrorists will not stop fighting no matter what military strategy the U.S. tries.

Add that to the fact that a lot of Americans want our brave soldiers home, and you've got quite a mess on your hands, McChrystal.

I wish you all the best.

[willihandjiv]

I'm suspicious that the firing of McKiernan and hiring of McChrystal was done to put an even softer glove on an already soft-glove operation in Afghanistan. Either fight and kill the enemy or get the hell out! Dividing these soldiers into small groups to roam the countryside to spread love and goodwill and protect villagers will, no doubt, result in many more American casualties, and only prolong the war. The current administration does not have the will to fight, nor to win. They're all about posturing.

[USASTILLONTOP]

hagar39- Great idea.. Leave the middle east. Let them ramp themselves up to where they can do as they please, get weapons of any kind and destory anything that they don't beleive in. Thank God you're not in charge you clueless twit.

[hagar39]

FACT. No matter who's in charge we will never conquer Afghanistan, or the Middle East.
Want to stop terrorism? Leave the Middle East. The people in this area and around the world don't want to be ruled by the USA.
If we want oil and other resourceswe should buy it or trade for it.
The 1800's and early 1900's are gone. People are not afraid of the USA any longer.
Now they will fight back.

[sean58z]

Criminal syndicates operating in Afghanistan blend in with the people. NATO allows the mob to roam freely and plant bombs. Kabul should possess the sophisticated surveillance technology that utilizes satellites and high-speed computers. The data establishes the basis for attacking felons. Barack Obama should authorized use of the technology by Afghanis. Americans do not understand the terrain and the people. A precise shot at the culprits requires human intelligence to interpet information. Missiles, rockets, and shells must be specifically fired into the correctly chosen domicile.