President Obama is expected this week to announce an increase of at least 30,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Democratic and Republican lawmakers are discussing a war "surtax" to help defray costs. (Shawn Thew / European Pressphoto Agency / November 24, 2009)Obama Prepares for Afghan Speech, Senators Offer Advice -- Voice of America
As U.S. President Barack Obama prepares to announce his new Afghan strategy, members of Congress are offering last-minute advice. Mr. Obama will spell out his plan Tuesday in a speech to the nation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, as lawmakers get back to work after a holiday recess.
Congressional support will be crucial to President Obama's plan, since lawmakers must approve the funding.
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More News on Afghanistan
Obama’s Speech on Afghanistan to Envision Exit -- New York Times
Obama Faces Hard Sell on Afghan Decision -- Washington Times
White House Emphasizes the Positive in Afghanistan -- L.A. Times
Obama’s West Point Speech Must Explain Why Afganistan is Not His Vietnam -- Times Online
Obama prepares to announce Afghan surge -- AFP
White House emphasizes the positive in Afghanistan -- L.A. Times
President Obama's Big Afghan War Strategy Sell -- ABC News
Lawmakers raise concerns over an expanded Afghan war -- L.A. Times
Senators Show Doubts on Afghanistan -- New York Times
Senators Warn About Costs of U.S. Troops in Afghanistan -- Wall Street Journal
US offers Pakistan enhanced military, economic support -- Dawn
US Offers New Role for Pakistan -- Washington Post
US offers Pakistan expanded partnership: report -- AFP
Pakistan Rejects Call to Do More to ‘Break’ Al-Qaeda -- Bloomberg
Britain to send 500 more troops to Afghanistan -- The Guardian
Equipment 'ready' for UK troop increase in Afghanistan -- BBC
Cuts Ground Special Forces’ Helicopters -- Times Online
Newly Deployed Marines to Target Taliban Bastion -- Washington post
NATO Tempts Taliban in From Cold -- Times Online
Can the Taliban Be Wooed to Switch Sides? -- Time Magazine
To Prepare for War, GI’s Get a Dress Rehearsal -- New York Times
Marines Plow Ahead with Anti-poppy Campaign in Afghan District -- L.A. Times
Rape In Afghanistan A Profound Problem, U.N. Says -- New York Times/Reuters
Afghan official: 6 national policemen killed -- AP
US airstrikes kill 26 Haqqani Network fighters in eastern Afghanistan -- Long War Journal
Afghan Officials: 26 Militants Killed Near Pakistan Border -- Voice of America
Body of U.S. soldier found after 27 days in NW Afghanistan -- China View
Armed men gun down intelligence employee in N Afghanistan -- China View
Why Helicopters Are Critical to Afghanistan War Success -- ABC News
Intelligence: Moving The Method To Afghanistan -- Strategy Page
Who will pick up tab for surge? -- Politico
Commentaries And Opinions
What a mess our military has made -- Dan Plesch
President Obama is looking like former President George W. Bush with Afghanistan plan -- New York Daily News
An Open Letter to President Obama from Michael Moore -- Michael Moore, Huffington Post
Is Obama surge a "JFK moment" or "LBJ moment"? -- Arturo Mora, Kansas City
Three questions Obama must answer in Afghanistan speech -- Christian Science Monitor
The Afghan Decision -- Washington Post editorial