New Afghan commander-designate has hearing today

WASHINGTON (AP) - The man slated to take over command of U.S. forces in Afghanistan faces a Senate confirmation hearing this morning.
   
Where General David McKiernan was regarded as a classic conventional commander, Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal is a former special operations chief. The implication was clear when Defense Secretary Robert Gates fired McKiernan last month. Gates said the Afghan mission required new thinking.
   
More than 60 American troops have died in Afghanistan so far this year—far more than at this time a year ago, which was the war’s deadliest yet.
   
By year’s end, the U.S. will some 68,000 troops in Afghanistan.
   
McChrystal is not likely to face much opposition. But the parents of Pat Tillman want his record carefully considered, saying McChrystal covered up the circumstances of their son’s 2004, friendly fire death.