Constructive Criticism or Insubordination?

President Obama recently removed Gen. Stanley McChrystal from his post as commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan because ofdue to remarks he and he staff made about members of the Obama administration in a recent Rolling Stone feature. In the article, McChrystal and members of his staff made frank remarks of other members of the U.S. diplomatic team, including U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, Special Representative to Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, National Security Advisor Jim Jones; the Vice President; and members of Congress. Much of the vitriol in their comments focus on how the various players involved in creating a lasting democracy in Afghanistan, at times, work against the interests of McChrystal’s Counter Insurgency (COIN) strategy.

While frank and at times disrespectful, I don’t find anything wrong with these public leaders expressing their opinions about their job, their colleagues, or the strategy they, and others, are implementing. I do have issue with the venue. Whether due to the masculine bravado that comes from being in the military or a larger sense of self-importance that may come from talking with a journalist from the music industry’s news source of record, I think McChrystal and his staff were a bit too frank with a journalist.

Then again, it may have been intentional. Their frustration with the success and criticism of COIN may have led them to be more direct in their criticism than normal. The challenge with the current situation in Afghanistan is the political politicians need to show results for a strategy in a public climate that demands immediate results. One of the key points communicated in the article is the importance of long-term and patient engagement with COIN. With a rise in violence and U.S. casualties in recent months, the political leaders and press have been critical of how effective the strategy is. However, long-term success in Afghanistan relies on committed patience to the implement the strategy rather than changing course when you don’t like short-term results. That criticism, combined with outright disagreement with the strategy by Eikenberry and Holbrooke, may have created an environment of frustration by McChrystal and his staff. I’m not a military strategist, so I can’t comment on whether COIN is the “right” strategy for Afghanistan. However, the President endorsed and committed to this strategy in December, and he has re-endorsed the strategy. As a result, all members of his leadership team need to help it succeed.

President Obama has worked to create a “no drama” White House, and this incident with McChrystal has created a fair amount of drama. But, this drama may have been made self-inflicted. The “Team of Rivals” approach to management provides a good approach in considering options. But when a strategy has been committed to, that the “Team of Rivals” must work together to make it happen.