Gen. McChrystal Warns Not to Take Too Long Debating Afghan Strategy

Denies 'Rift' With Obama Over Escalation

by Jason Ditz, September 24, 2009

Top US commander in Afghanistan Gen. Stanley McChrystal says that some debate is ‘warranted’ over his request for a massive escalation of the war in Afghanistan, conceding that “at the end of the day, we’re putting young people in harm’s way.”

Gen. Stanley McChrystal

Yet the general cautioned that the administration shouldn’t take too long to settle on his recommendation, which is the addition of another 45,000 US troops to the 68,000 already committed during Obama’s last escalation.

Gen. McChrystal dismissed suggestions that his pressure for such a massive number of additional troops just months after Obama had already committed so many had caused a rift with the administration, and denied rumors that he had threatened to resign if he didn’t get the troops.

It is generally assumed that President Obama will ultimately capitulate and send the additional troops, as escalation in Afghanistan has previously been a centerpiece of his foreign policy. But for the time being he seems content to delay any final decision, hoping perhaps for a more opportune time.

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