Free Republic

A Florida pastor backed away from plans to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11 after U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates phoned him, capping several surreal days of drama in which his plans ricocheted around the world, sowing anger among Muslims and concern at the Pentagon. Mr. Gates's phone call, in which he warned Rev. Terry Jones that the planned event could imperil U.S. troops, came hours after President Barack Obama slammed Mr. Jones's plan as a "stunt" and "a recruitment bonanza for al Qaeda." "Secretary Gates reached out to Pastor Jones this afternoon," a Pentagon official said....

President Obama announced Wednesday that he has accepted Gen. Stanley McChrystal's resignation as the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan following a scathing article in which he and his aides were quoted criticizing the administration for its handling of the war. In doing so, Obama nominated Gen. David Petraeus, the head of U.S. Central Command and the former commanding general in Iraq, to replace him. The president stressed that while the decision was a difficult one, it does not represent a change in the course of the war. "This is a change in personnel, but it is not a change...

*snip* This morning the President accepted my resignation as Commander of U.S. and NATO Coalition Forces in Afghanistan. I strongly support the President's strategy in Afghanistan and am deeply committed to our coalition forces, our partner nations, and the Afghan people. It was out of respect for this commitment — and a desire to see the mission succeed — that I tendered my resignation.

President Obama says Gen. McChrystal's comments "undermines" the mission in Afghanistan. He said relieving McChrystal of command is the "right thing" to do. "I will tolerate debate, but not division," Obama said. "It saddens me to lose the service of a soldier I've come to respect and admire," Obama added.

Obama chooses Gen. David Petraeus to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal as top Afghan commander, according to the Associated Press.

Sources tell NBC News that the president has decided to replace him WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has decided to relieve Gen. Stanley McChrystal of his command over all U.S. military forces in Afghanistan, sources tell NBC News. Obama is scheduled to make an official 1:30 p.m. EDT announcement about the general.

<p>Three key senators on Tuesday joined the Washington chorus questioning the judgment of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, adding that his fate is in the hands of President Obama.</p> <p>The statement by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham is important because it gives the Obama administration political cover if the president decides to fire McChrystal. The three senators are longtime backers of the military.</p>

McCrystal is gone.