Gates Gives Obama Afghan Troop Request

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Source: Wall Street Journal

October 8

WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates has forwarded a request for more troops in Afghanistan to President Barack Obama, the Pentagon said Wednesday, as divisions within the administration and Congress continued despite Mr. Obama's high-profile meeting with congressional leaders the day before.

Mr. Gates -- who made no recommendation of his own about the troop request, defense officials said -- had planned to hold back the document until the administration finished a broad re-evaluation of its Afghan war strategy. That decision came amid increasing public and congressional skepticism over the war, and amid internal questions over the strategy backed by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan.

But in the end, the defense chief feared that the document -- already widely reported on -- would leak to the press before Mr. Obama had a chance to read it, said Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell. The request outlines several options ranging up to 40,000 troops added to the 68,000 now stationed or headed there.

Congressional Democrats remained split over their views; lack of their strong support has left President Obama relying on Republicans at least as much as his own party to back his commander's request.

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125495791105571983.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStories

[Psephos]

1. Better now than later n/t