McCain meets with top U.S. general in Afghanistan

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Monday met with the commander of the international security force in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, as part of a swing through the Middle East.

Although the Arizona Republican did not disclose details of the meeting, McChrystal has been at the center of two controversial efforts in Afghanistan; requesting more troops for his units in the war-torn country and arguing for low-level Taliban officials rejoining the political process.

McCain, who is ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, tweeted:

Met with Gen McChrystal, US Amb Eikenberry, and Afghan officials in Kabul. Will go out to the field tomorrow

The 2008 Republican presidential nominee echoed McChrystal’s call for more troops two weeks ago and expressed confidence in his leadership in Afghanistan.

McChrystal’s initiatives, however, may pose political problems for President Barack Obama. Since the inception of his presidency, Obama has devoted manpower and resources to fighting terrorist elements in Afghanistan.

But American casualties have been mounting as the war progresses into its ninth year and weariness has become to set in among politicians in Washington as well as families back home.