"He is in a position where he [Stan McC] needs to retake the initiative from the insurgents."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/afghanistan/la-fg-mullen-afghanistan16-2009sep16,0,6747705.story

I.e.,

"Stan's gonna lose unless we throw more US bodies on the fire" said Adm. Michael G. Mullen in surprisingly candid testimony to Congress today.

Lose to freedom fighters defending their own country.

What a concept. George W, stop smoking that rope.