Laying The Groundwork For An Expanded Afghan Campaign

A French soldier overlooks Kabul.

US Wants $20bn To Fund Afghanistan Effort -- The Guardian

The US is seeking $20bn from its allies to help stabilise Afghanistan as it plans to send thousands more of its own troops to confront the growing insurgency in the country, American officials disclosed yesterday.

Robert Gates, the American defence secretary, said the US was considering a fundamental review of its strategy. But his message was clear - the US expected countries which did not contribute troops to Afghanistan to contribute money instead.

"Lessons had been learned from Iraq ...that means more forces," Gates told journalists in London.

General David McKiernan, the US commander in Afghanistan, has asked the Pentagon for three more American brigades in addition to the extra one already announced by President Bush and due to be deployed in January.

This would increase the number of US troops in Afghanistan, at present numbering 30,000, to nearly 44,000.

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My Comment: Nato and the Afghan Government are laying the groundwork for an expansion of the war in Afghanistan this winter.