As many as 2,000 additional troops - including a number of U.S. forces - may be headed to Afghanistan in the coming weeks under a plan being proposed by Gen. David Petraeus, CNN has learned.
Petraeus has not commented publicly on the need for more troops, but a U.S. defense official and a senior NATO official directly familiar with his thinking and the entire matter have confirmed details to CNN.
The Petraeus proposal for more troops has been briefed to NATO officials behind closed doors.
According to the NATO source, it calls for an additional 2,000 troops including at least 750 personnel to serve as trainers for Afghan forces. The trainers specifically would work to teach Afghan units how to support their operations in the field. The balance of the forces would work largely to counter the still significant threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Another NATO official tells CNN "it's highly likely" many of the additional forces will be U.S. troops. Some NATO member countries are politically ambivalent about the war, he noted. And practically, it is only U.S. forces that have the most advanced equipment to counter roadside bombs
In May, Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent 850 U.S. military trainers on a temporary deployment when European countries could not pledge enough of their own forces. This latest need for 2,000 forces goes beyond that to include counter-IED forces, although some small number of the at least 750 additional trainers could replace those already there.
No final decisions have been made on any additional U.S. troops.
NATO military authorities are scheduled to meet in the coming days to try to get specific troop commitments from member nations. The goal is to get the matter resolved before a November NATO summit in which U.S. and NATO military commanders are expected to discuss progress in the war.
It is not clear whether the new effort will bring the troop levels above the 30,000 additional U.S. forces authorized by President Barack Obama earlier this year, as it will depend on how many troops the NATO countries contribute and the potential re-assignment of existing forces. The president also authorized the Pentagon at the time to deploy 3,000 forces, but more than half of those 3,000 have already been earmarked.
NATO sources emphasize they believe the bulk of the additional 2,000 will likely have to come from the US.
The potential for yet another troop increase, even a relatively small one, is already being defended by NATO. The senior official told CNN "this relatively small uplift - less than 2 percent of the 150,000 in theatre from the coalition - reflects the direction of the campaign: training the Afghan security forces to prepare for transition, as well as protecting our forces."
A U.S. military official also confirms that in recent weeks the discussion of the "withdrawal" of forces from certain areas of Afghanistan beginning in July 2011 has taken a bit of a twist.
The official said the withdrawal in some areas will signify that those areas may be turned over to Afghan control, but that may not mean troops will come home. The latest options call for taking those troops not needed and sending them to other areas where security is still poor.
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Post by: CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr Filed under: Troops |
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- This blog was archived in October 2011.
From all parts of the world and spanning all ages, more than 2,500 U.S. and coalition troops have died in Afghanistan.
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NATO sources emphasize they believe the bulk of the additional 2,000 will likely have to come from the US.
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There are about 100,000 US troops In Afghan. Combined, the other 41 NATO countries have around 40,000 troops in Afghan. Why the lop sideness? Because we allow it.
Iran spokesman: American woman to be released
I said to rlease ALL of them. now. or YOU tell me who is blocking it.
now go jump threads you fuking piles of web filth.
OMG!!! BRITNEY SPEARS FLASHED HER BODY GAURD!!!
I wish GOD can just send a very big nuclear bomb and finish us all. Theirs no truth in this world.
DEar Jane _Deborah Christine D'Angelo,
as you see words do not work. all they do is argue.
as you see nice does not work. they dont listen.
They continue to think it is all about them, whle they hide nice and safe.
its not Deb it is ALL about you.
as you see, they could care less about YOU or any Soldior.
For all I know, Im talking to a dead Woman. Until I hear from you in person?
I take it out of thier asses.
May God bring you home safe.
They will die stupid.
now you know why.
I guess it was alright when The Catholics did it first right??? It is also alright that even today the Catholic are trying to force Their beliefs on the World??? But if The Muslin do the same thing it isn't alright right??? Every Religion and Countries have People on the far right!!! They are the small percentage of the People every where... But they cause the most problems for the Majority of all the People!!! That isn't right but that is just the way things are... So Why take it out on Those that all They want to do is live Their lives in PEACE and to be able to take care of Their Families like everyone else!!!
are you a scholar ? Barking paki dog .
"WE' ?
I have a Message for MY Troops.
YOU Only Have One Job.
Come Home.
It Does NO Good if YOU Die Too.
Dont BE A "Hero".
"expect The Unexpected.",
Watch YOUR OWN 6.
God Speed and God Bless. God Willing.
Go Ask Rusmfield what part of stay off the Ground he did not understand?
What is strange is that America is killing Taliban members and the Taliban had nothing to do with 9/11. The Twin Towers destruction was caused by a small group of terrorists. Why has the focus shifted from getting bin Laden to killing Taliban?
no,thats not it. guess again.
We should END THE WAR alltogether. Get out of Iraq, get out of Afganistan, get out of Pakistan, and bring ALL our troops home to re-build OUR NATION!
We already won in Iraq. We'll leave Afghanistan when the work is done.
Exactly how are the troops going to "rebuild our nation"? Perhaps you mean patrol our borders to keep out the illegals, which would be a great idea.
Did we really,yankee cowboy?
Yes, Larry, we did. Only a fool looks at victory and only sees defeat.
I totally agree with you,Marisol.Thank you.
What's needed, Marison, is to INTO Pakistan where al Qaeda is hiding and being protected. If we surrender to the Taliban, there is nothing to stop al Qaeda from once again turning Afghanistan into a giant terrorist training camp. Only a naive person would think it's better to fight the terrorists here than over there.
People have tried for sentries to kill off the Jews!!! But they are the ones not around anymore... We are still here!!! They be better off making PEACE with Us...
People there is someone that is using My name!!! I hope You can tell the difference between us???
For that last time, will you stop using my name?
I'm sure you live in America and are not willing to die for your country, but expect others to do it for YOU!
I'd rather believe* in God and die to find out there wasn't a God,
than not believe and die and find out there is a God.
Today we have troops fighting and dying for the MIC(military-industrial-complex) in Afghanistan,not that I want them to.This obnoxious war needs to end soon.I'm sick and tired of all these ignorant warmongers blogging in here touting all this bloodshed.
The MIC is coming for you, Travis! Those tears in your tinfoil hat let some radiation in and they're now able to track you.
Amen To That!!!
Send the more troops the better to get the war over with asap,
500,000 probably wouldn't be enough at this point
unless our nations unit together against world terrorism soon.
May God grace guide and bless our leaders around the world.
All are precious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will you just cut the right-wing drivel and stop using the name of God? I find it quite dubious that God will bless any of these evil people who continuously order the wanton slaughter of thousands of people daily.This right-wing mumbo-jumbo does get awfully old.
Is that they only garbage you can spew out–"right-wing" and "tea party"? Why don't you get it over with and move to Waziristan if you're going to be that brainwashed.
Sorry George, that wasn't me who made that obnoxious statement.I'd like to see this bozo post it in Spanish if he can,but he won't.
A veces me olvido de si estaba en el ejército o los marines.
You are a disgrace of using one of Our Greatest General and talking the way You talk!!! If You were ever in the Military You would know that He would never say anything like that against Our Country...
I can not believe you allow a man to burn the Kuran, unless you will also allow a man to burn a bible. But i am in shock we have come to this in our society. Years ago i heard a man say "there will be a race war" i thought he meant black and wight. Now i realize it will be amongst religions.
Paul
You're right,Paul. This country's in the very grip of that right-wing lynch mob mentality.But the right-wing politicians just love it as it enhances the Tea Party Movement and their chances of winning elections in November.
I am reading Quran also these days.But I am not a Muslim.
Section 24 :190 says....
Fight in the cause of God
Those who fight you
But do not transgress limits
For God loveth not transgressors
Then section 24:191 says
And slay them
wherever ye catch them,
And turn them out
From where they have
Turned you out
For tumult and oppression
Are worse than slaughter
But fight them not
At the sacred Mosque
unless they (first)..
fight you there
But if they fight you
slay them
such is the reward
of those who suppress faith
But if they cease,
God is oft forgiving
Most merciful
Jesus came and has said to forgive each other in the new testimony. So why anyone wants to follow old testimony and kill . Jesus paid from his life for all the sins so people can do no more sins.Many names But one God. Quran says all are God"s children in his creation. Muslims call Allah and we catholic say God. It is same. We say Jesus is son of God and they say Jesus is a prophet.
Jesus was preaching in Jerusalem and what is wrong with helping to build Israel. If we are God"s creation then why anyone is angry with Israel. . do not murder whoever follows Holy spirit as it never tell us to do evil but forgive. If these fighting goes on without forgiving , we all are same and God will punish all of us who did not repent and continued to fight. leave the old testimony and reunite in the name of JESUS. One can say Jesus is a prophet only. Still he spoke through God.!!! So we have to listen.
Forgive each other and stop killings . Here there is a misunderstanding as people call same God in different names . But there is only one living God who is so vast. Before God punish all of us, we must stop fighting .
It just shows what the Far Right really thinks about This Country!!! If They do it... The Muslin should burn the Catholic Bible too and show that two can play the same game!!! I would rather see that than seeing Muslin killing Americans!!!
They had a Church that is doing the complete Opposite from it by having Their Muslin Neighbors while They are building Their Mosque across the street from Them to use Their Church to have Their service!!! I would rather see something like that on the News than burning Their Bible...
Now you know every time I write in German it is not me!!!
But German is my favorite language.I don't agree with George Patton who claimes that the Russian language is the most beautiful that there is,then again to each his own.
En revanche,je prefere la langue francais quoiqu'elle n'est pas la plus belle de toutes.Je suis d'accord avec Dan sur la langue allemande.Elle est fort belle.
That is great because we can't understand what your saying!!! So Who cares what You are saying...
When Obama announced 20000 more troops for Afghanistan, it was told that this will expedite the training process of Afghan forces so that Afghan could handle their security after Us withdrawal in 2011. Now 2000 more are being sent for same reason. Whatever may be the logic behind sending more troops to Afghanistan but it is clear that Afghan war can be won if hearts and minds of Afghans is won. Force has never won in Afghanistan in its entire history therefore if troops surge is aimed at forcing US imperial agenda the it is bound to fail as has been proved during last nine years of occupation. So the best way is to give Karzai a chance ti make a deal with the Taliban for safe exit of US forces from Afghan Quagmire,
Da stimmt,bangash.Viele danke fur seine Einstellung.
That could be the People that came there before was not there to train Them to take care of Themselves!!! That is a big reason why It will work now and didn't work then...
well, first off I'm over here risking my life so that you can sit there and be safe. 2nd it's not muslims we're fighting. a large percentage of people in the US are muslim. should we drop a bomb on our country as well? do we forget how many lives were taken on our own soil? do you want it to happen again..maybe a roadside bomb going off and blowing up you and your family while you're driving to church? all because we didn't stop them from building up their forces and become capable of doing such things again? just think before you speak next time 😉
AMEN service member, I couldn't of saif it better!!!
More of this right-wing,pro-war drivel.How old it gets!!! We need to get these troops out of there instead of putting more in!! And how our young men have been brainwashed into the belief that going to war is fun and games!!! I find that very repulsive.
I agree. I'm also sick of watching young veterans playing their xbox war games day in and day out like they can't live without killing people!
They'll leave when the job is done and not before. Surrendering Afghanistan back to the Taliban is unacceptable.
Sorry annoyed,I did not post the above statement.At least anybody with half a brain knows that it's not true.
Anyone with half a brain knows how to punctuate properly. That lets out Pakis.
Whats more unfortunate is that you cannot explain why you extreme Muslims are so ungodly and hateful of others including your own Muslim brothers and sisters? And there is no amount of time that you can spend in your lifetime that can explain your hateful ideology that would kill or maim sinners the way you and the Taliban do along with other Islamic states! As long as one fights and kills in self defense then there is no wrong, But when one plans attacks and flies jets into buildings and allows them refuge they too are targets and continue to be when they put on suicide vests and bury IED's and ambush armed forces using civilians as shields YES THESE SATANIC PEOPLE DESERVE TO DIE!!!
Thank you for your service . and everyone who has ever served for our nation , freedom , safety . Some people just don't understand the reasons that ya'll are over there. In AFG . My husband just came back from AFG and only a coward speaks of things they don't understand nor have the B-lls to sign up to and provent another Sept 11,2001 happening again.
There was 3 message from the Biggest Idiot there is!!! He has to hide behind My name to make fun of Me... That is because He doesn't want People to know Who He is... He is a Coward like the Tarriest We are fighting!!!
We need to get out of there. No American life is worth that entire country. Drop a bomb and get Pakistan, Iran and all the muslims.
For the last nine years US forces have been bombing and killing Afghans and Pakistanis in their war on terror. This has not solved the issue or has decreased US forces death toll in Afghanistan but rather it has added to the coffins being sent from Afghanistan. So it is time to see the ground realities and reconsider past nine years history of wars. Time has proved that Bush had deceived his nation on Afghan war therefore Obama has promised to withdraw by 2011 which mean that use of force has failed. So your suggestions for bombing Afghans, Iranians and Pakistanis indicate how sincere you are to your nation and your troops.
you are really off base there. First off, we aren't leaving in 2011, we are starting to leave. It may take us 15 years to leave. Second, Bush lied about Iraq. There was no lie about Afghanistan. Osama (for various reasons, some of which are our fault) attacked the USA on 9/11. For that the entire region is currently paying a price. If I were you I would pray that the US military stays to finish the job because once we leave we aren't coming back, and if you have another 9/11 style attack after that point we will probably just retaliate with Anthrax. That won't be nice. It won't be pretty.
:::Joe I would pray that the US military stays to finish the job @@@@ Sorry Joe, someone misinformed you. The job will never get finished.
Maritta,may I reiterate to you that hate never does anybody any good? Contrary to what you might think,these people are just as human as we are and don't deserve to die just because a lot of ignorant fools in America hate them.
Even though I agree with You... Please Use Your own Name not mine!!!
We will get out of There as soon as They can take care of Themselves!!! Like We did in Iraq... That is the only way We can make it safe Here in the States!!!
What is odd is that America is killing Taliban members and the Taliban had nothing to do with 9/11. The Twin Towers destruction was caused by a small group of terrorists. Why has the focus shifted from getting bin Laden to killing Taliban?
"we" ? "Shoot first ask questions later Maritta" ,,,,,????
That sounds like a "Spanish" or "mexican Name",
but the hey,,,
"Whats in a Name?", (rotflmfao)
Idiots.
Hamas threatens strike on PA
The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:49 AM PDT
Hamas said it would strike the Palestinian Authority if the PA does not stop arresting its West Bank followers. In an announcement released Wednesday and reported by Israel Radio, Hamas threatened the Palestinian Authority.
Maritta, those are my sentiments exactly. We need to get out, not spend one more life, one more limb, or one more dime on that forsaken place.