US Commander Seeking 30,000-40,000 Troops: Senator(McCain)

[tekisui]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON — The top commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan has asked for 30,000-40,000 more troops to fight Islamist insurgents, Republican Senator John McCain said on Sunday.

The US military has declined to reveal how many troops General Stanley McChrystal has appealed for but the senior Republican senator said the details of the general's request were widely known in the US capital.

"I think it's the worst -- one of the many worst-kept secrets in Washington. It's 30,000 to 40,000 troops," McCain, former presidential candidate and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told ABC's "This Week."

McCain, who has urged more troops for the NATO-led coalition, said he had a conversation with President Barack Obama about the Afghan war over the weekend.

"I think he has a very difficult decision," said McCain, referring to doubts among the president's fellow Democrats and an American public "weary" of war.

"But I believe he'll make the right decision."

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Sunday he will not present the troop request to Obama until the White House completes a review of strategy over the next "few weeks."

McChrystal has warned in an assessment of the war that without more troops in the next year, the mission could fail.

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[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. I remember when the generals wanted more troops in Vietnam.

So, LBJ floated the rumor that they wanted 100,000 more which caused great alarm and protest. Then, after it had simmered down, he announced he was sending only 50,000 and everybody breathed a sigh of relief.

I wouldn't be in the least surprised if Obama "reviews" the strategy and announces an escalation of only 20,000....until the next time the pentagon boobs threaten to lose the war unless more troops are sent.