Obama Weighs Various Options in Afghanistan

At the end of the 8th official meeting on the war in Afghanistan it looks as if there is still no concrete plan in place. Obama heard four strategies and was unsatisfied, wanting a more concise plan and outlook on the Afghan government and when it can assume control.

ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper wrote in his blog: "The key sticking points appear to be timelines and mounting questions about the credibility of the Afghan government," an administration official said, adding that the President "wants to make it clear that the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan is not open-ended. After years of substantial investments by the American people, governance in Afghanistan must improve in a reasonable period of time to ensure a successful transition to our Afghan partner."

Obama is facing public disapproval on his handling of the war and according to the star.com "U.S. officials said growing support among his top advisers is for deploying 30,000 or more additional troops to Afghanistan." Obama has good reason for taking his time on the decision to send more troops to Afghanistan. After record numbers of casualties being reported; if an increased troop level fails then the war becomes an extreme liability politically for the president.

It is begining to look more and more like Afghanistan will be to Obama what Iraq was to Bush. The recent Pew Research Center poll showed Obama's handling of the war dropping from 49% approval to 36%.

If the plans go through, the President will have over one hundred thousand troopsin Afghanistan by the end of his first term. He is expected to announce the plan once he returns from China, before Thanksgiving.

All of Obama's military advisors are suggesting an increase in troops. We can only hope Obama and his advisors are correct and make the best decision possible instead of muddling around like we did in the quagmire that was Iraq.

Brief History of the Afghan War:
The US launched Operation Enduring Freedom with the help of the Brittish. The aim of the operation was to capture and try Osama Bin Laden and destroy the Al Quaeda network. Coverage of the war diminished with the initiation of the war in Iraq until 2008 when the US reassessed and renewed it's commitment to the war effort. In 2008 there were over 1000 confirmed deaths and in 2008 it was estimated that 2,118 Afghan civilians were killed in armed combat.

Sources:
ABC News
Thestar.com