The request reflects a far shorter time frame for a US military presence in Afghanistan than commanders had previously envisaged after the current international mission ends this year.
The new approach is intended to buy the US military time to advise and train the Afghan army but still allow Obama to leave office saying he ended America’s longest war, the officials said.
Military leaders told Obama that if he rejects the 10,000-troop option, then it would be best to withdraw nearly all military personnel at the end of this year because a smaller troop presence wouldn’t offer adequate protection to US personnel, said officials involved in the discussions, according to a report published in Wall Street Journal.
The Obama administration has said it wants an enduring presence in Afghanistan to support the Afghan army and to prevent any regrouping of Islamist militants that could once again threaten the US from the country, officials said.
The debate over troop levels in Afghanistan has taken on new urgency in light of a resurgence of Al Qaeda in Iraq following the withdrawal of all US troops from that country in 2011. The Pentagon’s approach, discussed in White House National Security Council meetings last week, encountered pointed questions from some NSC officials who asked what difference 10,000 US troops would make on such a temporary basis, US officials said.
The new approach is intended to buy the US military time to advise and train the Afghan army but still allow Obama to leave office saying he ended America’s longest war, the officials said.
Military leaders told Obama that if he rejects the 10,000-troop option, then it would be best to withdraw nearly all military personnel at the end of this year because a smaller troop presence wouldn’t offer adequate protection to US personnel, said officials involved in the discussions, according to a report published in Wall Street Journal.
The Obama administration has said it wants an enduring presence in Afghanistan to support the Afghan army and to prevent any regrouping of Islamist militants that could once again threaten the US from the country, officials said.
The debate over troop levels in Afghanistan has taken on new urgency in light of a resurgence of Al Qaeda in Iraq following the withdrawal of all US troops from that country in 2011. The Pentagon’s approach, discussed in White House National Security Council meetings last week, encountered pointed questions from some NSC officials who asked what difference 10,000 US troops would make on such a temporary basis, US officials said.