President Obama Fires General McChrystal After Critical Remarks Were Published in Rolling Stone

General Stanley McChrystal, who had been who overseeing US and Nato forces in Afghanistan, was called to the White House on Wednesday to meet with President Barack Obama where he was to explain disparaging and "contemptuous" remarks he made about senior administration officials, including the president, in an interview with Rolling Stone. The meeting did not go well for McChrystal, who was relieved of his command following his meeting with the President today.

McChrystal met with Obama privately at the White House this morning, and then departed ahead of a scheduled war strategy session. Prior to the meeting, however, two military officials revealed that McChrystal had gone in prepared to submit his resignation.

CNN has reported that General David Petreaus has been named to replace McChrystal as commander.

Prior to the announcement today, Afghan President Hamid Karzai expressed confidence in McChrystal in a video conference held Tuesday night with Obama. This morning, Karzai's spokesman, Waheed Omar said:

"We hope there is not a change of leadership of the international forces here in Afghanistan and that we continue to partner with Gen. McChrystal."

In the Rolling Stone article, McChrystal did not directly criticize Obama. However, he called the period last fall when Obama was deciding whether or not to approve more troops "painful" and said that the president appeared ready to hand him an "unsellable" position.

The general also said that Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, his diplomatic partner in Afghanistan, "betrayed" him. He said that Eikenberry raised doubts about Karzai, only to give himself cover in case the US effort failed. McChrystal was also quoted mocking vice president Joe Biden.

Neither McChrystal nor his team disputed the accuracy of the story or the quotes in it. Rather, McChrystal issued an apology.

It is not often that military leaders publicly challenge the President, and when they do, the consequences are most often severe.