The paragraphs excerpted were extracted from today's referenced Washington Post article. To me they convey one of the major problems we seem to be having in actually trying to prosecute a military campaign. It shows that McChrystal took his orders and mission seriously and acted accordingly, while his masters really meant them to be interpreted with a wink and a nod and were certainly not serious in their intent.
It is another example of the administration saying one thing but doing another. Words don't count - only actions. Eloquence won't win wars.