Obama Keeping Quiet on Adding Troops in Afghanistan

President Obama noted yesterday that he had no plans to downgrade the war effort in Afghanistan, a process that would entail withdrawing troops and turning the war into a counterterrorism campaign. What he didn’t note, however, is whether he plans to send more troops to the troubled country. Top commanders in the U.S. military want an additional 40,000 troops in the area, but Obama has thus far not committed to adding any troops. After a 90-minute conversation with Congressional leaders, Republicans and Democrats were still divided roughly along party lines, with Republicans urging the president to listen to his commanders and Democrats urging caution and deliberation.

The war, which as of today has lasted exactly 8 years, continues to try the patience of Amercans, and has thus far resulted in the death of just under 800 U.S. soldiers. Obama has already committed an additional 21,000 troops in Afghanistan this year, raising the total in that country to 68,000. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, has specifically warned that more troops are required, but so far none have been forthcoming.

Of the decision that Obama must make, House Republican John Boehner noted, "We do recognize that he has a tough decision, and he wants ample time to make a good decision. Frankly, I support that, but we need to remember that every day that goes by, the troops that we do have there are in greater danger." That and other comments indicates general support for whatever decision Obama makes. As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid noted, "The one thing that I think was interesting is that everyone, Democrats and Republicans, said, ‘Whatever decision you make, we’ll support it,’ basically."