Lance Cpl. Nathan Nail of Oxford, Ala., on patrol with his Marine unit on Aug. 11, in Khan Neshin, Afghanistan, an area the Taliban once controlled. (Robert Nickelsberg/The New York Times/File) Poll: 50% Oppose U.S. Surge In Afghanistan -- USA Today
WASHINGTON — Half of all Americans, and six in 10 Democrats, oppose sending more troops to Afghanistan, a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows, underscoring the pressures on President Obama as he re-evaluates his approach to what he calls "a war of necessity."
That's a stark turnaround from February, when 65% of Americans supported Obama's decision to send 17,000 additional servicemembers, according to Gallup. In March, Obama announced what he called "a comprehensive new strategy" for Afghanistan premised on more troops, training the Afghan army and boosting reconstruction efforts.
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MORE NEWS ON AFGHANISTAN
Five US soldiers die in wave of attacks across southern Afghanistan -- Times Online
5 US troops killed in southern Afghan attacks -- Yahoo News/AP
5 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan -- New York Times
Five U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan -- Reuters
Taliban 'opens northern front against German troops' in Afghanistan -- the Telegraph
Karzai Backers Want Troops -- Wall Street Journal
What next in Afghanistan? The five people Obama is asking.-- Christian Science Monitor
McChrystal Request to Reach Pentagon by End of the Week -- Washington Post
Obama not 'inclined' to beef up Afghan force: US lawmaker -- AFP
U.S. Allies Await Afghan Review -- Wall Street Journal
Security Worsens As Taliban Move Into Northern Afghanistan -- Radio Free Europe
The Taleban: Masters of Chaos Thrive on Bombs and Charity -- Times Online
FACTBOX: Insurgency in Afghanistan: who are they? -- Reuters
Marines go shopping to win Afghan hearts and minds -- AFP
1 in 10 suspect Afghan ballot boxes face recount -- Yahoo News/AP
Partial vote recount starts in Afghanistan -- Reuters
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 769 -- AP
COMMENTARIES AND ANALYSIS
Can US Win War the Canadian Way? -- Toronto Star
ANALYSIS - U.S. plan B for Afghanistan has its own problems -- Reuters
Legitimacy and the Afghan Army -- Steve Coll, Foreign Policy
Why Karzai May Be Obama's Best Bet in Afghanistan -- Time Magazine
In Afghanistan, let U.S. troops be warriors -- Byron York, Washington Examiner
McChrystal's "Ground Truth": Need Half a Million Boots on the Ground -- Huffington Post
Should Obama order a 'surge' for Afghanistan? -- L.A. Times Opinion
Will Obama Reject More Troops in Afghanistan? -- Holly Bailey, Newsweek
The Afghan Imperative -- David Brooks, New York Times opinion.
Commit to Afghanistan or Get Out -- Kori Schake, Wall Street Journal opinion