militaryhistory

As anticipated, the top U.S. military officer says that up to 30,000 new American troops could be on the ground in  Afghanistan by this time next year. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said on a visit to Kabul that between 20,000 and 30,000 additional U.S. troops could be sent to Afghanistan by the summer 0f 2009.

U.S. commanders are there requesting an additional 20,000 troops to bolster the 31,000 (as previously reported on this blog) U.S. forces already in the country. But other estimates indicated 30,000 additional forces is the largest number any top U.S. military official has said publicly. Mullen says that after those troops are increased, only improvements in Afghanistan’s governance and economic situation will affect the strength of the insurgency.

President Elect Obama has already signaled his approval for staying the course in Afghanistan, recognizing the need to take the fight to Muslim Extremists in the country. Adding to this is the recent attacks in Mumbai, increased threats against US interests worldwide and direct (and unusual)  threats against Obama by Al Queda leadership.