Biden defends Afghanistan troop boost

[unhappycamper]

Biden defends Afghanistan troop boost
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Dec 15, 2009 9:10:52 EST

WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday the United States had no choice but to substantially increase its presence in Afghanistan because America would be “in real trouble” if the Karzai government fails.

But Biden also acknowledged in a nationally broadcast interview that much of the terrorist threat originates in neighboring Pakistan, and he said the Obama administration is redoubling efforts to get greater cooperation from Islamabad.

President Barack Obama has approved sending an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan, bringing the total there to nearly 100,000, a far heavier commitment than the United States had as recently as summer 2008.

In an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Biden said the strategy is not about occupying Afghanistan or rebuilding it.

“It’s a fundamental change in terms of the strategy, defeating al-Qaida,” he said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_afghanistan_biden_121509/