U.S. Sending More Troops to Afghanistan by Summer

President-elect Barack Obama has said repeatedly throughout his campaign and post-election speeches that he wants to have more troops in Afghanistan and wants the focus of the Global War on Terror moved to that country. As violence slowly decreases in Iraq, the perception is that the U.S. will be able to draw down troops from that nation, while simultaneously increasing the U.S. presence in Afghanistan.

Approximately 20,000 new combat troops have been requested to aid in the fight in Afghanistan, which is just one component of what Gates has referred to as a "course correction" for the United States. Part of the change in policy involves a greater cooperation with Afghan authorities in an effort to have them more invested in U.S. military operations against al-Qaeda and the remaining Taliban fighters. Current policy does not require any approval or input from Afghan authorities and they are simply informed of U.S. operations as they are carried out.

It is anticipated that most of the additional troop presence will be concentrated in the south and southwestern areas of the country, with a focus on the Kandahar region. Much of this plan will no doubt be contingent upon the success or failure of the planned troop reductions in Iraq. Troops are currently scheduled to be out of Iraqi cities by June and out of Iraq entirely within three years. It is difficult to imagine the U.S. - even under an Obama administration - being able to honor that time frame.

There are currently 31,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan and just under 150,000 in Iraq.