Thursday, July 1, 2010

• Michael Hastings of Rolling Stone on the Story that Brought Down Gen. McChrystal and Exposed Widening Disputes Behind the US Debacle in Afghanistan

  
  
  

  In a rare extended interview, we speak to Michael Hastings, whose article in Rolling Stone magazine led to the firing of General Stanley McChrystal. Hastings’ piece quoted McChrystal and his aides making disparaging remarks about top administration officials and exposed longstanding disagreements between civilian and military officials over the conduct of the war. The Senate confirmed General David Petraeus as McChrystal’s replacement on Wednesday, one day after McChrystal announced his retirement from the military on Tuesday after a thirty-four-year career. [includes rush transcript]

• Rep. John Conyers and Out of Afghanistan Caucus Oppose Obama Admin’s $33B Escalation of Afghan War

  
  
  

  Democratic Rep. John Conyers, chair of the House Judiciary Committee and the co-chair of the Out of Afghanistan Caucus, joins us to discuss his opposition to the $33 billion earmarked for the escalation of the war in Afghanistan. Conyers and other antiwar lawmakers are holding a news conference today after the end of the bloodiest month for international troops in Afghanistan. [includes rush transcript]

• Fmr. Marine, State Dept. Official Matthew Hoh Is First US Official to Resign over Afghan War

  
  
  

  Last September, Matthew Hoh became the first US official known to resign in protest over the Afghan war. At the time of resignation, he was serving as the senior US civilian in Zabul province on the Pakistani border. In his resignation letter, Hoh wrote, "I have lost understanding of and confidence in the strategic purposes of the United States’ presence in Afghanistan. I have doubts and reservations about our current strategy and planned future strategy, but my resignation is based not upon how we are pursuing this war, but why and to what end." [includes rush transcript]