Posted on 10/14/2009 8:16:34 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (AFP) – US President Barack Obama huddled with his war council for the fifth time, debating whether to send thousands more troops to Afghanistan to quell a growing conflict.
Obama is to unveil a new strategy within weeks to contain an insurgency fueled by Al-Qaeda militants and the Taliban, which is resurgent eight years after being ousted from power.
During Wednesday's three hour meeting Obama was briefed by key aides on efforts to strengthen the civilian mission in Afghanistan and train Afghan security forces, with the vexed question of resources permeating the debate, the White House said.
The discussion brought Obama together with Vice President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton via videoconference from Russia.
It came after a grim assessment of the war by General Stanley McChrystal, the top NATO and US commander in Afghanistan, who has reportedly asked for up to 40,000 more troops to fight the insurgency.
McChrystal was also present for the discussion, as were Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair and CIA chief Leon Panetta.
Obama has said the top goal of any new policy would be consistent with current US aims -- rooting out Al-Qaeda and its "extremist allies."
"We are going through a very deliberative process," Obama said Tuesday after talks with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
“WAR CABINET”
WOO-WOO!
SOUNDS TOUGH.
REALLY TOUGH.
WOO-WOO!!
ehh, whenever ya can get around to making a decision,
No hurry, O.
The AQ and Taliban will be there waiting for your decision.
I realize this is news, given that this 0 has been unwilling to make any hard decisions, unless it deals with destroying the economy or introducing more socialism into our system.
Obama dithers, American heroes die.
Number 43 in a series.
“McChrystal was also present for the discussion” = FALSE
He was told to stay put in Afgan - was consulted by video hook-up only
he will be another Johnson from the 60’s
Wow, is Obama pushing little miniature tanks around on a big table just like a real Commander in Chief?
Obama and all of his left wing advisors mentioned have not the slightest idea what the principles of offense and defense are. These people are blind running fools who could not lead an infantry squad. Not a one has any idea how to write an OPORD or an INTSUM and they are planning strategy- God help us.
And every troop he murders from now till then?....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.