Gates Will Be The Tell

Secretary Gates has released a statement rebuking Gen. McChrystal. As I noted earlier though I believe Gates behind the scenes reaction will be key to how all this plays out. Remember back in 2007 Gates fired then-head of Central Command, Adm. Fallon in remarkably similar circumstances. He’s spoken out of turn about President Bush in an article in Esquire. Does Gates decide McChrystal’s insubordination goes too far? Or will he help manage a brief ritual humiliation of McChrystal which has him back in place in Afghanistan in short order? Beside Obama, Gates is the real player here.