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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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US to Pressure Brits for More Troops in Afghanistan

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(Newser) – The US is expected to push for more British troops to help fight the Taliban in Afghanistan, a move certain to be unpopular with the British public, reports the Guardian. NATO Gen. Stanley McChrystal will likely recommend to President Obama that the current total of 150,000 Afghan troops should be doubled, which would require more US and British training and support, and that America should boost monetary aid to support the Afghan government. Britain has been pressuring the US to increase financial aid.

"The people of Afghanistan need to see their government rather than foreign powers delivering improvements. The bottom line is that the government must outperform the Taliban," international development secretary Douglas Alexander said in Washington last week. The Brits have 9,000 troops in Afghanistan. "I don't think the public Is up for it any more," said a former foreign minister. "We as a nation now don't want to send out soldiers anywhere."

An US soldier mans his machine gun from a helicopter over Kandahar, Afghanistan.
An US soldier mans his machine gun from a helicopter over Kandahar, Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Navy Seal Lt. Michael P. Murphy, from Patchogue, N.Y. Murphy, was killed in 2005 while leading a reconnaissance mission deep behind enemy lines in Afghanistan.
Navy Seal Lt. Michael P. Murphy, from Patchogue, N.Y. Murphy, was killed in 2005 while leading a reconnaissance mission deep behind enemy lines in Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)
An Army carry team carries transfer case containing the remains of Staff Sgt. Johnny Roosevelt Polk, of Gulfport, Miss., who died last month in Afghanistan.
An Army carry team carries transfer case containing the remains of Staff Sgt. Johnny Roosevelt Polk, of Gulfport, Miss., who died last month in Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
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4 comments
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DeniseVB
Aug 3, 09 7:49 AM CDT
Weren't the Russians in Afghanistan for 14 years and left in failure? I think the US commanders have told Obama they need the troop level at 300k for a successful mission. Reply
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Combat_Grunt11b
Aug 3, 09 8:28 PM CDT
Russians relied heavily on armor as well. This was one of the fail points. We are actually doing some good, but since we lack the support of our own people.. I cant make any good predictions. Sucks when 7 of my guys dying gets ignored on the news for weeks because some Singing Child Molester Croaks On Pain Pills. What a sad society we live in. And everyone wonders why we come home so alienated.
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Shannonals
Aug 3, 09 11:01 PM CDT
Why is it that the United States always has to be the fore-runner in everything? Our Allies support us briefly, than theuy leave, NATO chips in a small percentage, and than they leave. When will we learn we cannot Police the entire world Reply
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Combat_Grunt11b
Aug 4, 09 10:22 AM CDT
Because every time we step back from a situation, we receive criticism for doing so. Its the price of being the biggest kid in the Orphanage. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
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