The top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan has told Pentagon officials that the war in Afghanistan will likely result in failure unless more troops are sent to fight. In a confidential assessment of the war, Gen. Stanley McChrystal writes, “Failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near term…risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible.” The Washington Post reports McChrystal’s assessment was sent to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on August 30 and is now being reviewed by President Obama and his national security team. On Sunday, President Obama said he remains skeptical about the need for more US troops in Afghanistan.

President Obama: “Until I’m satisfied that we’ve got the right strategy, I’m not going to be sending some young man or woman over there, beyond what we already have. I’m not interested in just being in Afghanistan for the sake of being in Afghanistan or saving face or, in some way, you know, sending a message that America is here for the duration.”

President Obama speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press in one of five network interviews that aired on Sunday.