WASHINGTON — The U.S. commander of the war in Afghanistan is at the Pentagon today, starting a day of meetings to explain derogatory remarks about the Obama administration he and his aides made in a magazine article.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal was meeting with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, this morning before seeing the president.

McChrystal came to Washington from Afghanistan on a summons from President Barack Obama.

He is to meet with Obama before the president's regular monthly war meeting. McChrystal usually participates by videoconference.