US Afghan general faces Obama over war criticism

THE top US commander in Afghanistan was summoned to Washington yesterday after criticising politicians and civilian officials over their attitude to the war.

Gen Stanley McChrystal, who has apologised for his comments in a Rolling Stone magazine interview, has been ordered to attend a regular monthly White House meeting in person today rather than over a secure video link, to explain himself to President Barack Obama and top Pentagon officials.

The article depicts Gen McChrystal as a lone wolf at odds with many important figures in the Obama administration and unable to persuade even some of his own soldiers that his strategy can win the war.