Gen. McChrystal Now Seeking Over 60,000 More Troops for Afghanistan
Latest Request Calls for Nearly Doubling Ground Force
As officials in the Obama Administration continue to press for smaller escalations, top US commander in Afghanistan General Stanley McChrystal is upping the ante on his request, now calling for over 60,000 additional troops to continue the war.
The news comes as quite a surprise, as previously the general had been reported to be calling for an additional 45,000 troops, but had also said that 40,000 more troops was the absolute minimum needed.
The US has approximately 68,000 troops in Afghanistan now, following President Obama’s March escalation which added an additional 21,000. If Gen. McChrystal gets his 60,000+ additional troops President Obama will have virtually tripled the American presence in Afghanistan in the less than 9 months since taking office.
Though President Obama has already assured Congress that the “Biden Option” is off the table, there is a growing dispute among cabinet members between sending the massive number of troops sought by McChrystal or sending a smaller number and dramatically increasing drone strikes inside Pakistan.
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jeff_davis
October 9th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
40,000 -> 45,000 -> 60,000 -> 100,000 -> 200,000 -> 500,000 -> 50,000,000.
Generals, professional Patton wannabees, can't cope with the reality-based notion of being "Westmoreland-ized", ie getting their ass kicked. They will sacrifice every US soldier, every breathing Afghan, and every dollar the US treasury can beg, borrow, steal, or print to avoid defeat.
McChrystal is screwed, and Petraus has become invisible because he knows he's peaked, getting as far as he did on the basis of luck, illusion, and brown-nosing the Bush-turd.
How do you spell Vietnam? A-F-G-H-A-N-I-S-T-A-N.
Collapsing economy, crashing dollar, military defeat and humiliation.
The American people reap the whirlwind of their profound stupidity.
Ain't payback grand.
McChrystal Seeks Over 60,000 More Troops for Afghanistan « Little Alex in Wonderland
October 9th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
[...] ABC News reported that Gen. McChrystal’s official request–expected to be deliberated by the Administration today–exceeds 60,000 more troops to add to the 68,000 U.S. troops of the 100,000+ International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops set to be present at the end of this year. The Wall Street Journal and FOX News report “a U.S. official familiar with the document” confirms the report. (h/t: Jason Ditz) [...]
Tweets that mention Gen. McChrystal Now Seeking Over 60,000 More Troops for Afghanistan -- News from Antiwar.com -- Topsy.com
October 10th, 2009 at 4:06 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AngelaKeaton and nick cook. nick cook said: Gen. McChrystal Now Seeking Over 60,000 More Troops for Afghanistan http://bit.ly/Ithm4 via @addthis [...]
Compatible Creatures – War & Politics & Life - Crossing the Rubicon — Or How Not to Shit in Your Mess Kit
October 10th, 2009 at 8:24 am
[...] requested another 40,000 soldiers and just recently a surprise ante-up: An open-ended possible option of 60,000 more to be funneled into the Afghan countryside. Despite all that, and the morale of the GIs, the [...]
Henry_Clemens
October 10th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
To jeff_davis: About your comment, I couldn't have said it better. As one very proud Southerner to another, and for anyone who can appreciate the truths of history; Jefferson Davis was the best president Americans ever had – at least Southern ones anyway. It is a shame we cannot find that caliber of statesmen, anywhere, in America today – with the lone exception of Ron Paul, of course.
Yep, America has sown the wind. Now we are reaping the whirlwind. An ill wind is starting to blow across America and it looks like a perfect storm is heading our way. Batton down your hatches folks; we are in for a very rough ride. Peace and well wishes to all.
Honestly, They Don’t Even Bother To Hide It Anymore at LibertyGuys
October 12th, 2009 at 3:49 am
[...] off George, it’s 60,000, not 40,000, this time around. All of the faux outrage and for-public-consumption harrumphing about [...]