U.S. Afghan Military Commander: May need more funds and U.S. troops

[Better Believe It]

U.S. commander: Afghan forces insufficient
Obama strategy may need more funds, U.S. troops, say military officials
By Greg Jaffe and Karen DeYoung
Washington Post
July 10, 2009

Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the newly arrived top commander in Afghanistan, has concluded that the Afghan security forces will have to be far larger than currently planned if President Obama's strategy for winning the war is to succeed, according to senior military officials.

Such an expansion would require spending billions more than the $7.5 billion the administration has budgeted annually to build up the Afghan army and police over the next several years, and the likely deployment of thousands more U.S. troops as trainers and advisers, officials said.

Obama has voiced strong commitment to the ongoing Afghan conflict -- which this year surpasses Vietnam as America's longest combat engagement -- but has been cautious about making any additional military resources available beyond the 17,000 combat troops and 4,000 military trainers he agreed to in February. That will bring the total U.S. force to 68,000 by fall.

"There are not enough Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police for our forces to partner with in operations . . . and that gap will exist into the coming years even with the planned growth already budgeted for," said a U.S. military official in Kabul who is familiar with McChrystal's ongoing review.

Without significant increases, said another U.S. official involved in training Afghan forces, "we will lose the war." Gates would have to agree to any request from McChrystal for additional funding or troops, and recommend it to Obama.

Please read the complete article at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31858268/ns/world_news-washington_post

Look at General McChrystal's eyes and what do you see?



Look at them closer.

[flyarm]

1. Gotta get those heroin factories up and running faster it seems! eom

[drdtroit]

2. But not one penny for healthcare! n/t

[Adsos Letter]

3. Eyes.