A U.S. Marine guards an Afghan man found traveling with nearly 50 pounds of opium on his motorcycle in Farah province. Marines searched the man's house and discovered about 200 pounds of opium there. (David Furst / AFP/Getty Images / September 28, 2009)With Obama Wavering, Congress Seeks To Chart A Course On Afghanistan -- Time Magazine
President Barack Obama is taking out a blank sheet of paper this week as he weighs his options in Afghanistan, and Congress stands more than willing to fill it in. The Senate on Sept. 29 is expected to debate amendments to the 2010 defense appropriations bill that are likely to include everything from timelines for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan to proposals to send upwards of 40,000 more. But, unlike health-care reform, this isn't a decision Obama can leave in the hands of the legislative branch — however undecided he remains today.
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More News On Afghanistan
'Thirty dead' as bus hits mine in Afghanistan -- AFP
Afghan bus bombing kills dozens -- BBC
Afghanistan bus blast kills at least 30 -- The Guardian
NATO chief says more troops needed in Afghanistan -- L.A. Times
Change of Tactics Needed in Afghanistan War, Chief of NATO Says -- Bloomberg
NATO chief endorses US commander's Afghan report -- Yahoo News/AFP
New NATO Chief Says America's Allies Stand Firm Against Taliban -- Voice of America
NATO Chief Says More Troops Needed in Afghanistan -- L.A. Times
NATO Secretary-General Defends Alliance's Afghanistan Contributions -- Voice of America
US Says Taliban Has A New Haven in Pakistan -- Washington Post
Musharraf: Afghan Debate Shows US Weak -- Washington Times
If McChrystal Gets His Afghan Surge, How Many Troops Will Be There? -- Christian Science Monitor
General Stanley McChrystal Opts for 40,000 More Troops in Afghanistan -- The Australian
McChrystal Says He's Talked With Obama Once Since Taking Afghanistan Command -- FOX News
Pentagon plays down questions over Obama-McChrystal talks -- AFP
Obama at war with his general -- San Francisco Chronicle
US Accepts Hamid Karzai as Afghan Leader Despite Poll Fraud Claims -- Times Online
FACTBOX-Military deaths in Afghanistan -- Reuters
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 773 -- AP
Commentaries And Analysis
ANALYSIS-It's up to Obama to decide on Afghanistan -- Reuters
The troops are available for Afghanistan -- Captain's Quarters
A Turning Point For Afghan War, And For Obama -- NPR
Obama looks escalation in the eye -- Asia Times
A pragmatic look at Obama's pragmatism -- Jonah Goldberg, l.A. Times
The View From Pakistan's Spies -- David Ignatius, Washington Post opinion