Why would he abandon his soldiers to “The wimps in the White House” until he absolutely had to? Every minute they are under McChrystal’s command, they’re safe from Obama.
Maybe this is McC.’s way of standing up for his troops. He knows that the policy coming from D.C. will get more of them killed, unless someone falls on his sword to get the word out, indirectly, that the Obama policy is a total flop.
He may be able to do more good outside the military, being able to speak freely. He may be able to try and change the ROE or as I think of them, Rules of Unengagement. Winning in Kandahar will be very costly under them. Prayers for our troops, from top to bottom.
I've seen this argument. They are hurt either way. By resigning, he shines a light on the administration. Otherwise, they continue to do what they do.
He's not the boss, so the only thing he can do is resign in protest.
I respect him if he truly did it for the troops, but he should have quickly realized that there was no hope.