He replaced the military commander in Afghanistan, General David D. McKiernan, with former Special Forces commander Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal in May 2009, indicating that McChrystal's Special Forces experience would facilitate the use of counterinsurgency tactics in the war.
Ia mengganti komandan militer di Afghanistan, Jenderal David D. McKiernan, dengan mantan komandan Pasukan Khusus Letnan Jenderal Stanley A. McChrystal pada Mei 2009, menandakan bahwa pengalaman Pasukan Khusus McChrystal bisa membantu penerapan taktik-taktik kontra-penyergapan dalam perang.