Retired United States Army General Stanley McChrystal has been appointed a Senior Fellow with the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale University for the fall 2010 semester. General McChrystal, former Commander of the International Security Assistance Force and Commander of United States Forces Afghanistan, will teach a graduate level seminar for students in the International Relations Master’s program. The course will examine how dramatic changes in globalization have increased the complexity of modern leadership. Jackson Institute Senior Fellows are practitioners and experts in global affairs who teach courses and mentor Yale students aspiring to public and international service.

Commenting on his appointment, McChrystal said, “I am extremely excited to be teaching at Yale and I look forward to sharing my experiences and insights as a career military officer.”

James Levinsohn, the Director of the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, remarked that “General McChrystal brings a wealth of experience in international affairs that will be of tremendous value to our students. His leadership seminar exemplifies just what the Jackson Institute is all about—integrating outstanding practitioners right into the academic curriculum.”

General McChrystal’s distinguished career in the U.S. Army spanned 34 years. Prior to his service in Afghanistan, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Director of the Joint Staff (2008–2009), where he assisted the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in managing the direction, operation, and integration of all combat land, naval, and air forces.

General McChrystal also commanded the Joint Special Operations Command, serving as Commanding General (2003–2006) and Commander (2006–2008). In this capacity he directed our nation’s most elite military forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world. He is a renowned expert in counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and unconventional warfare. His career has brought him to posts around the world, including South Korea and Saudi Arabia, where he served as a special operations officer during the first Gulf War.

General McChrystal holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy and a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval Command and Staff College. He has been a Senior Service College Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, as well as a Military Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The Jackson Institute of Global Affairs is a principal driver of Yale’s efforts to internationalize its teaching curriculum, to attract the most talented students and scholars to Yale from around the world, and to deepen the University’s engagement abroad. Established in April 2009, the Institute administers Yale’s International Relations Master’s program and International Studies undergraduate major. The Jackson Institute also provides career counseling and placement assistance to students wishing to pursue a career in public service and other areas of international affairs.