Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal - WhoRunsGov.com, a Wash Post Co
Due in large part to his background in the shadowy world of special operations, which often include participation from non-defense agencies, McChrystal's network extends beyond the military. Military officials say he has a deep rolodex of contacts inside the Central Intelligence Agency, FBI and other federal intelligence and national security outfits.
If he's also a crusading born-again Christian with an Old-Testament view of smiting the enemy, it doesn't show in this assessment. Which may, of course, be a front. Not sure I'd go with Shearer's conspiracy stuff, though. Gareth Porter, whom I've sometimes quoted in the Salon, isn't as rabid (IPS article here).
McChrystal's Counterinsurgency Guidance document seems encouraging. The recommended approaches towards sit downs with local leaders followed up with responses to their needs seem more likely to yield long term results than targeted killings of perceived local opposition leaders. However, from his prior record, it would appear that McChrystal has employed the directed assassination approach in the past with Special Ops.
He is serving under Gen. Petraeus and I believe that the counterinsurgency strategy he is embracing is that of Petraeus and that they both share a faith. But that remains just my belief until can find better evidence. Pardon me if I suspect that this is rather like teasing out the true opinions of Supreme Court nominees on subjects like abortion. As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
