Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates talks with members of the traveling press after departing Fort Drum, N.Y., where he visited with soldiers assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, July 16, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry MorrisonFrom Yahoo News/AP:
CHICAGO – The Pentagon's chief said Thursday he could send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan this year than he'd initially expected and is considering increasing the number of soldiers in the Army.
Both issues reflect demands on increasingly stressed American forces tasked with fighting two wars.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates' comments came during a short visit to Fort Drum in upstate New York — an Army post that that he said has deployed more soldiers to battle zones over the last 20 years than any other unit. Two Fort Drum brigades are headed to Iraq later this year, and a third is currently in Afghanistan.
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Update #1: Gates says may expand U.S. Army to cope with strains -- Reuters
Update #2: Gates Does Not Expect to Raise Afghanistan Troop Commitment This Year -- Voice of America
My Comment: Another surge in the works? I doubt it. President Obama is already looking for an exit strategy (see previous post at 10:00 EST PM), and to double down now is not his mindset.