U.S. Army Sgt. Jeremiah K. Stafford watches as an Afghan Border Policeman fires a PKM machine gun during marksmanship training in the eastern Khowst province of Afghanistan on Nov. 19, 2007. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino Jr., U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)About 250 local village elders attended a tribal conference, known as a jirga, at the Tagab District Center, Afghanistan, Oct. 26, 2008, that was initiated by the Kapisa and Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Teams, the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, and area government officials to foster discussion about area problems and solutions. U.S. Army photo by Lory Stevens Taliban Gains Lead To US Troop Plea -- The Age
US COMMANDERS in Afghanistan now believe they need about 20,000 additional troops to battle a growing Taliban insurgency.
Demands have been mounting for support forces such as helicopter units, intelligence teams and engineers, which are critical to operate effectively in the country's harsh terrain.
The troop requests reflect the broader struggles the US military faces in Afghanistan. Fighting has intensified, particularly in the eastern region, where attacks are up and infiltration of insurgents from Pakistan is on the rise.
US troop deaths in 2008 are higher than in any other year since the conflict began in 2001.
The Pentagon has approved the deployment of one additional combat battalion and one army brigade, or about 4000 troops, set to arrive in Afghanistan by January.
Commanders have requested three more combat brigades — 10,500 to 12,000 troops — but those reinforcements depend on troop reductions in Iraq and are unlikely to arrive until next year. Now they are asking the Pentagon for 5000 to 10,000 additional support forces.
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My Comment: It sounds like they are losing control of the situation.