Gen. John Campbell, Reuters
USA Today: Top U.S. general may seek more troops for Afghanistan
WASHINGTON — Afghanistan's security situation is so tenuous that the top U.S. commander there wants to keep as many U.S. troops there as possible through 2016 to boost beleaguered Afghan soldiers and may seek additional American forces to assist them.
Army Gen. John Campbell said in an interview with USA TODAY that maintaining the current force of 9,800 U.S. troops to train Afghan forces and conduct counter-terrorism raids is vital, and that the scheduled reduction to 5,500 by Jan. 1, 2017, should be put off as long as possible.
"My intent would be to keep as much as I could for as long as I could," Campbell said by telephone from Kabul. "At some point it becomes physics. I'm going to have to get them out."
WNU Editor: This only reinforces what Russian President Putin's Special envoy to Afghanistan said only yesterday .... ‘US and NATO operation in Afghanistan has failed’ – Russian president’s special envoy. (RT).
More News On The Top U.S. General In Afghanistan Asking For More Troops For 2016
Never Enough: US Top Brass in Afghanistan May Push for More Troops -- Sputnik
Pentagon pushing for long-term US presence at Bagram, as Taliban gain ground -- FOX News
US general: more troops may be needed in Afghanistan -- The Telegraph
More troops may be needed in Afghanistan, says US and Nato chief -- The Guardian/AFP
Will Obama dither as long as last time.
ReplyDelete"Obama has had McChrystal's recommendation for weeks but has yet to decide on putting it in place even after numerous strategy sessions with senior aides. The White House has said the president will not be rushed"
http://www.cleveland.com/world/index.ssf/2009/10/to_surge_or_not_to_surge_obama.html