President Obama has summoned General McChrystal to the White House this morning. His spokesman refused last night to confirm that the general’s job was safe. The Commander-in-Chief is fully entitled to give his general a dressing-down, for insubordination and for poor judgment. But it would be a profound mistake to fire him.
General McChrystal, the architect of the “surge” of US troops now reaching its peak, has produced the first coherent Afghan military strategy. That has enabled Nato to put more effort into building alliances, and into encouraging good government. To withdraw him now would be to throw away hard-won gains at a crucial point.
It would also be to dismiss the weight of his criticism. Many of his gripes are legitimate. President Obama took too long to decide on the surge. General Eikenberry was indeed covering his back from criticism. Mr Holbrooke has often behaved like a loose cannon. The White House is not at ease with the military. McChrystal was foolish, and rude, but he was right. President Obama should listen to the wake-up call from Kabul.