General Stanley McChrystal Called to the White House to Explain Comments Made to Rolling Stone Magazine

General Stanley McChrystal, who oversees US and Nato forces in Afghanistan, was ordered to return to the United States to report to the White House, where he will be asked to explain disparaging and "contemptuous" remarks he made about senior administration officials, including the president.

According to the White House, "all options are on the table", which means an "angry" president Barack Obama could choose to fire the war commander if he so chooses. Obama summoned McChrystal to Washington D.C. to explain quotes attributed to him in the latest edition of the Rolling Stone magazine. In the article, the general and his senior aides accuse the US ambassador to Kabul of undermining the war, mock vice president Joe Biden, and call Obama's national security adviser "a joke." If that weren't enough, there's also indirect criticism of Obama himself as "uncomfortable and intimidated" by senior military officials.

During a press conference on Tuesday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs declined to give any assurances about McChrystal's position. He did note, however, that the US efforts in Afghanistan were bigger than one person, and commented that McChrystal was not indispensable. Gibbs also said:

"Without a doubt, General McChrystal has made an enormous mistake."

US defense secretary Robert Gates also spoke out against McChrystal's actions, stating that he "made a significant mistake and exercised poor judgement."

For his part, McChrystal apologized via phone and in person to some of those who were criticized in the article. He also issued a statement in which he admitted to "a mistake reflecting poor judgement", and added: "I have enormous respect and admiration for President Obama and his national security team.".

It's not clear, however, if the apology will be enough to save his job.