Petraeus: 20K troops for Afghan war from U.S.

[unhappycamper]

Petraeus: 20K troops for Afghan war from U.S.
By Frances D’Emilio - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Dec 9, 2008 15:46:12 EST

ROME — The 20,000 additional troops sought by American commanders for the NATO mission in Afghanistan would come from the United States, with any additional increase supplied by allies, the U.S. general who oversees the Afghan war said Tuesday.

Gen. David Petraeus, who is head of U.S. Central Command, was asked at an American institute in Rome, where he gave a speech, about beefing up troops in Afghanistan.

There are more than 60,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, just over half of whom are from the U.S.

U.S. troop levels are already at their highest level since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan to oust the Taliban government after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But American commanders are seeking 20,000 more troops to stem the violence that has engulfed parts of the country.

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has also called for increasing troop numbers in Afghanistan.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/12/ap_petraeus_afghanistan_120908/%2e

[Loge23]

1. U.S. to follow U.S.S.R

The former Soviet Union's ill-fated foray into Afghanistan was one of the fatal blows to their "empire".
For some reason, now the U.S. believes that they can do better - this after the disastrous excursion into Iraq which may yet bring the U.S down.
So, Afghanistan will be cast as the "good war". Will any of this matter in a few years anyway?
Done is done.