Military Seeks Much Bigger Boost for Afghan Forces

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 11, 2009 7:14 AM CDT

(Newser) – America's new top commander in Afghanistan believes the country's security forces will need a much bigger upgrade than planned if President Obama's strategy is going to work, officials tell the Washington Post. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, still doing a 60-day assessment, is said to have concluded that the expansion of Afghan forces will require billions more than the $7.5 billion currently budgeted, and thousands more American troops to serve as trainers.

Plans are already in place to boost the size of the Afghan army from 85,000 to 134,000 over the next two years, but Pentagon officials believe the number needed is closer to 250,000. Any request from Obama for Congress for yet more resources is likely to lead to heavy criticism of his strategy. But without an increase, one military official involved in training warns, "we will lose the war."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Pentagon officials say thousands more American troops are likely to be needed as trainers for Afghan security forces. (Getty Images)

Nnewly recruited soldiers of the Afghan National Army are seen at a military class room at amilitary training center in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)

New Afghan National Army recruits march during their graduation ceremony on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

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There are not enough Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police for our forces to partner with in operations. That gap will exist into the coming years even with the planned growth already budgeted for. - A senior US official in Kabul

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 8 comments

justme

Jul 13, 2009 2:11 AM CDT

That's what the Dems said about Iraq before the surge. Of course, Obama will soon claim credit for a peaceful Iraq.

Observer

Jul 12, 2009 11:57 AM CDT

Wait a minute! We want out of that Shithole now. No more troops. Afghanistan is a LOST CAUSE. Ask the Russians and Bin Laden.

manbearwire

Jul 11, 2009 12:25 PM CDT

Why are we still nation building when it's clear that it's just wasted money? This is frustrating, and will obviously lead to nothing being accomplished at all. Every expert out there that doesn't stand to make money off the war agrees that Afghanistan is a lost cause. CHANGE WE CANT BELIEVE IN. If you wanted out of the Middle East, you should have voted for Ron Paul.

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Afghanistan • troop surge • US military • Afghanistan army • Afghanistan war • Afghan police • Stanley McChrystal

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