US likely to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan
- Source: Global Times
- [08:04 November 10 2009]
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By Zhang Wen
After the US Army's top general backed an extra deployment of US forces to Afghanistan in a television interview Sunday, President Barack Obama is still facing a decision on the situation in the war-torn nation.
"I believe that we need to put additional forces into Afghanistan to give General (Stanley) McChrystal the ability to both dampen the success of the Taliban while we train the Afghan security forces," General George Casey, the army chief of staff, said on the NBC News program "Meet the Press."
But Casey would not comment on how many additional troops were needed.
The New York Times (NYT) stated that three options remain for Obama – "McChrystal's request for roughly another 40,000 troops; a middle scenario sending about 30,000 more troops; and a lower alternative involving 20,000 to 25,000 reinforcements."
McChrystal set the number around 30,000, citing a military official Saturday.
Republicans are calling for a more rapid decision from the president. They believe that any delays would embolden the Taliban, whose attacks against Western targets are becoming more daring.
According to the NYT report, Defense Secretary Robert Gates also appears to be supportive of the middle option.
Nevertheless, Obama is unlikely to make a decision before November 23, when administration officials will discuss with NATO allies the possibility of sending more troops.
