By Kevin Green–
General Stanley McChrystal, former top commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, presented this year’s Waitt Lecture in Eppley Auditorium Wednesday October 19th. His discussion on “The Strategic Challenges Facing America” focused on relationships between the U.S. and Middle East.
General McChrystal began his lecture by sharing an anecdote with the crowd about two rival villages in Nuristan. His story concluding with a reminder that, “What happens in Dublin matters in Detroit. What happens in North Korea matters in North Dakota…”
During the hour-long conversation General McChrystal also examined Afghanistan’s historical timeline concluding that, “It’s important to understand what they’ve been through to understand why they react as they do.” Adding later that, “ …the Taliban isn’t the problem, the Taliban is the symptom of the problem. “
Later he shared his thoughts on leadership, geopolitics, and the current state of global affairs, utilizing powerful photographs throughout the lecture. He also answered numerous audience questions.
Senior Corrine Brown inquired about social media and the misconceptions and relationship problems they pose. General McChrystal’s lighthearted response, “…I looked at the Wikipedia page for Sioux City and it gives you credit for being the fourteenth drunkest city in the country. Now I know you think you’re in the top ten…” set off an explosion of laughter from the crowd.
Prior to the lecture, General McChrystal dined with local Veterans, Morningside faculty, and leadership students in the Yockey Family Community Room.
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