Obama adds national security session on Afghanistan
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President Obama has added a nighttime meeting with his national security advisors to his schedule, the White House announced this morning, as the president prepares to make a decision on U.S. policy in the Afghan region.
The meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST. It is at least the seventh full discussion of what to do in Afghanistan, whether to send more troops or to redefine the role of U.S. involvement.
Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has asked that 40,000 troops be sent to Afghanistan to supplement the 68,000 already committed. NATO has 40,000 in Afghanistan.
The White House has indicated the president is considering four options. Each would involve sending more troops. Obama has ruled out an immediate withdrawal.
Speaking in Shanghai last week, Obama told future Chinese leaders that the United States was committed to fighting terrorists in the region, including in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but also wanted to help the Afghan people. This would imply sending more fighting troops, shifting the focus to Pakistan where Al Qaeda has bases but also adding trainers to help the Afghanistan government deal with a resurgent Taliban threat.
NATO is also expected to send troops and trainers, though the exact number is unclear. Reports from Europe say NATO could add between 3,000 and 10,000 personnel, perhaps allowing the United States to decrease the load of additional forces.
There is no date set for Obama’s announcement on Afghanistan policy, but it is not expected until after Thanksgiving.
Among those attending tonight’s session are: Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates. McChrystal will attend via a video conference.
--Michael Muskal
