Top US Commanders Back Afghan Troop Hike Assessment

U.S. Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, left front, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Army General David H. Petraeus, Commander, Multinational Force Iraq, observe flight operations from the flag bridge during a visit to USS Abraham Lincoln, in the North Arabian Sea, August 27, 2008. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class James R. Evans)

General David Petraeus And Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen Support General McChrystal's Afghan Assessment

WASHINGTON, Sept 23 (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. Central Command, Army General David Petraeus, said on Wednesday that both he and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen had endorsed an assessment by the top commander in Afghanistan that says more troops would be needed.

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More News On The Commanding General's Support Of A Troop Surge To Afghanistan

Mixed messages from Pentagon on Afghan troop plans -- Reuters
U.S. commanders back Afghan troop hike assessment -- US Daily
Top General Denies Rift With Obama on Afghan War -- New York Times
Commander to send troop request for Afghanistan -- AP

My Comment: This is unexpected. For both General Petraeus and Adm. Mullen to come out publicly in endorsing what the commander in Afghanistan is requesting is a surprise. Both men understand the intricacies of the Washington political scene, and have always deferred important decisions or policy to the civilian leadership. If they ever was a difference of opinion .... they always made it known privately.

To come out publicly like this tells me two things. (1) They are disagreeing with the course of action that the civilian leadership is telling them to follow ....i.e. delaying a request for more troops until a later time. (2) They are deeply disturbed by the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, and the conditions that U.S. troops now find themselves in. To them time is the essence, and any delay will only involve more casualties and deaths.

I am sure that the Defense Department or White House will be responding to this very soon. I will update this story then.