Commander of U.S. Central Command Gen. David H. Petraeus, U.S. Army, talks with members of Combined Joint Task Force - 101 at Combat Outpost Marghah, Afghanistan, on Nov. 6, 2008. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Bradley A. Lail, U.S. Air Force. (Released)From Reuters:
CORNWALLIS, Nova Scotia (Reuters) - The Pentagon is considering a plan to send more than 20,000 troops to Afghanistan over the next 12 to 18 months to help safeguard elections and quell rising Taliban violence, officials said on Friday.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he and top commanders had discussed sending five brigades to Afghanistan, including four brigades of combat ground forces as well as an aviation brigade, which a defense official said would consist mainly of support troops. An Army combat brigade has about 3,500 soldiers.
Gates said much of the infusion could take place before Afghanistan holds elections by next autumn.
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My Comment: The U.S. military and political establishments are now focusing on Afghanistan. This will be a major escalation in not only in protecting the polling places in next years elections, but to also provide the trainers and equipment for the Afghan Army.