The Long War: Pentagon worried about Obama's commitment to Afghanistan

"I think [the Obama administration] thought this would be more popular and easier," a senior Pentagon official said. "We are not getting a Bush-like commitment to this war."

by Nancy A. Youssef (McClatchy Newspapers 2009-08-31)

WASHINGTON — The prospect that U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal may ask for as many as 45,000 additional American troops in Afghanistan is fueling growing tension within President Barack Obama's administration over the U.S. commitment to the war there.

On Monday, McChrystal sent his assessment of the situation in Afghanistan to the Pentagon, the U.S. Central Command, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and NATO. Although the assessment didn't include any request for more troops, senior military officials said they expect McChrystal later in September to seek between 21,000 and 45,000 more troops. There currently are 62,000 American troops in Afghanistan....

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said any discussion about what the Pentagon is proposing and the White House response is premature.

"We are not there yet," Morrell said. "Let's see what Gen. McChrystal comes back and asks for."

If this story is accurate and the White House, including hawkish Joe Biden, is indeed worried about declining public support for the war in Afghanistan and attacks on Pakistan, this is the moment for the peace movement to ratchet up resistance.

The rest of the story: Pentagon worried about Obama's commitment to Afghanistan by Nancy A. Youssef (McClatchy Newspapers 2009-08-31)

See, also: CNN Poll: Afghanistan War opposition at all-time high
American Antiwar Movement Plans an Autumn Campaign Against Policies on Afghanistan
Needed - A Left Antiwar Opposition To Obama

Take action: Peace Action