And one more question: Is Obama considering rejecting McChrystal’s request because he’s afraid that when next-door Iran gets its nukes, which likelihood he seems strangely complacent about, they can then hold our entire Afghanistan force hostage?

In a word, no. That’s the least of our worries. Even if you can think of a scenario under which it would make sense for Iran to threaten our troops with nukes – which I don’t think you can – just having nuclear material is not the same as having an explosive. Just having an explosive is not the same as having a munition. Just having a munition is not the same as having a delivery system. Just having a delivery system and munition is not the same as having a reliable delivery system. Just having a reliable delivery system is not the same as having a reliable and accurate delivery system. And just having a reliable and accurate delivery system and weapon is not the same as having a usable reliable and accurate delivery system and weapon.