General Petraeus, new Afghanistan Commander

General Petraeus

Just as well America has lots of generals. General McChrystal only served for a year as top boss in Afghanistan, he replaced General David McKiernan who was fired by Defense Secretary Robert M Gates.

Because General McChrystal had direct control of Afghanistan at a critical time in the war, his sacking is seen as very significant. It's up there as the most high profile firing since President Harry Truman fired General Douglas MacArthur who was leading international forces in the Korean War.

In 2008, Admiral William Fallon was forced to resign as head of Central Command for comments he made in Esquire Magazine about the Bush administration's policies in the Middle East.

As the new Afghanistan Commander, General Petraeus has a hard road ahead of him because of the strict timeline laid out by the White House - their planned US troop reduction scheduled to begin in just over a year's time.

Edit 10/11/2012.  David Petraeus served as commander of the war in Afghanistan in 2010-1011 and was appointed CIA director in April 2011.  On Friday, he resigned.  Here is the full text of his letter:

HEADQUARTERS Central Intelligence Agency

9 November 2012

Yesterday afternoon, I went to the White House and asked the President to be allowed, for personal reasons, to resign from my position as D/CIA.  After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair.  Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours.  This afternoon, the President graciously accepted my resignation.

As I depart Langley, I want you to know that it has been the greatest of privileges to have served with you, the officers of our Nation's Silent Service, a work force that is truly exceptional in every regard.  Indeed, you did extraordinary work on a host of critical missions during my time as director, and I am deeply grateful to you for that.

Teddy Roosevelt once observed that life's greatest gift is the opportunity to work hard at work worth doing.  I will always treasure my opportunity to have done that with you and I will always regret the circumstances that brought that work with you to an end.

Thank you for your extraordinary service to our country, and best wishes for continued success in the important endeavours that lie ahead for our country and our Agency.

With admiration and appreciation,

David H. Petraeus

This clever man had to go because infidelity leaves powerful people vulnerable and he was ripe for blackmail.  What an utter tragedy.