Pentagon: Rolling Stone writer whose article ended McChrystal’s career denied embed request

Pentagon says Rolling Stone writer denied embed

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon says the author of the Rolling Stone article that ended the military career of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the former top commander in Afghanistan, has been denied permission to join U.S. troops fighting in Afghanistan.

Defense Department spokesman Col. David Lapan told reporters that freelance writer Michael Hastings was rebuffed when he asked to accompany, or “embed,” with American forces next month.

The Pentagon has ramped up an internal investigation into the circumstances behind some of the most salacious material Hastings used in his article in Rolling Stone. The Associated Press has learned that the Army inspector general is interviewing current and former McChrystal aides.