McChrystal confirms Afghanistan is FUBAR

Nice to see that President Obama's commander for Afghanistan is apparently operating in the real world. According to the Washington Post, via Mr. Insider-Stenographer Bob Woodward, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal is telling his boss that our imperial adventure in the Hindu Kush is FUBAR -- politely, Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition. Some facets of the folly, per McChrystal:

"The weakness of state institutions, malign actions of power-brokers, widespread corruption and abuse of power by various officials, and ISAF's own errors, have given Afghans little reason to support their government..."

"Pre-occupied with protection of our own forces, we have operated in a manner that distances us -- physically and psychologically -- from the people we seek to protect. . . . The insurgents cannot defeat us militarily; but we can defeat ourselves."

"Afghan social, political, economic, and cultural affairs are complex and poorly understood. ISAF does not sufficiently appreciate the dynamics in local communities, nor how the insurgency, corruption, incompetent officials, power-brokers, and criminality all combine to affect the Afghan population."

"It is realistic to expect that Afghan and coalition casualties will increase."

"The insurgents control or contest a significant portion of the country, although it is difficult to assess precisely how much due to a lack of ISAF presence. . . . "

FUBAR indeed.

Being a General, McChrystal then concludes the only answer is more guns, more troops, more of the same. This isn't so clever. It looks like what the President actually needs are some new ideas -- like how to extricate us from the failed adventure bequeathed to him by his predecessor. Or will he let himself be squeezed by his generals?