This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8293558.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Obama to consult on Afghan policy Obama to consult on Afghan policy
(20 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama is to meet key figures from Congress for talks on future US strategy on Afghanistan.US President Barack Obama is to meet key figures from Congress for talks on future US strategy on Afghanistan.
About 30 lawmakers from both parties will gather at the White House, as debate intensifies over whether the US should send more troops to Afghanistan.About 30 lawmakers from both parties will gather at the White House, as debate intensifies over whether the US should send more troops to Afghanistan.
Mr Obama is expected to brief them on the results of a review by military commanders and ask for their views.Mr Obama is expected to brief them on the results of a review by military commanders and ask for their views.
It comes a day after Defence Secretary Robert Gates said more time was needed to decide on Afghan troop deployment.It comes a day after Defence Secretary Robert Gates said more time was needed to decide on Afghan troop deployment.
Last week the top US and Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, said the operation was "under-resourced" and a "dramatically different" strategy might be needed.Last week the top US and Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, said the operation was "under-resourced" and a "dramatically different" strategy might be needed.
Afghan strategyAfghan strategy
Mr Gates said the president welcomed candid advice on Afghanistan, but added that it should be made in private - considered a mild rebuke after public remarks on Afghanistan by Gen McChrystal and other senior officials.Mr Gates said the president welcomed candid advice on Afghanistan, but added that it should be made in private - considered a mild rebuke after public remarks on Afghanistan by Gen McChrystal and other senior officials.
US media reflects bitter debate US media reflects bitter debate class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/markurban/2009/10/afghanistan_indecision_reveals.html">Indecision reveals uncertainty
The defence secretary is believed to have an open mind on the direction of Afghan strategy.The defence secretary is believed to have an open mind on the direction of Afghan strategy.
But the security situation in Afghanistan is continuing to deteriorate, with Mr Gates saying the war was on a "worrisome trajectory".But the security situation in Afghanistan is continuing to deteriorate, with Mr Gates saying the war was on a "worrisome trajectory".
Eight US servicemen and two Afghan soldiers died on Sunday in an attack in Afghanistan's Nuristan province.Eight US servicemen and two Afghan soldiers died on Sunday in an attack in Afghanistan's Nuristan province.
The bodies of four of the Americans killed were brought back to Dover Air Force base in the US state of Delaware on Tuesday.The bodies of four of the Americans killed were brought back to Dover Air Force base in the US state of Delaware on Tuesday.
Covert operationsCovert operations
The latest talks come as the Obama administration comes under increasing pressure to set out a revised policy on Afghanistan, where the conflict will soon enter its ninth year.The latest talks come as the Obama administration comes under increasing pressure to set out a revised policy on Afghanistan, where the conflict will soon enter its ninth year.
Divisions are emerging in Congress between some Democrats concerned by the prospect of deploying more US troops to Afghanistan and some Republicans urging the Obama administration to follow the advice of top generals.Divisions are emerging in Congress between some Democrats concerned by the prospect of deploying more US troops to Afghanistan and some Republicans urging the Obama administration to follow the advice of top generals.
MARDELL'S AMERICA Has Gen Stanley McChrystal over-stepped the mark? Mark MardellBBC North America editor Read Mark's thoughts in fullMARDELL'S AMERICA Has Gen Stanley McChrystal over-stepped the mark? Mark MardellBBC North America editor Read Mark's thoughts in full
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, speaking on the PBS network's Charlie Rose show, said: "There's very grave concern about a full commitment."Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, speaking on the PBS network's Charlie Rose show, said: "There's very grave concern about a full commitment."
She spoke in favour of an alternative strategy which would concentrate on targeting al-Qaeda and increasing covert operations and unmanned drone attacks. Vice-President Joe Biden is said to favour this approach.She spoke in favour of an alternative strategy which would concentrate on targeting al-Qaeda and increasing covert operations and unmanned drone attacks. Vice-President Joe Biden is said to favour this approach.
But former Republican presidential candidate John McCain told NBC on Tuesday that he supported sending additional US forces to Afghanistan, citing the "surge" in Iraq as evidence that it could succeed.But former Republican presidential candidate John McCain told NBC on Tuesday that he supported sending additional US forces to Afghanistan, citing the "surge" in Iraq as evidence that it could succeed.
ObjectivesObjectives
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Monday that the US was not considering pulling its troops out of Afghanistan.White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Monday that the US was not considering pulling its troops out of Afghanistan.
Some 68,000 US troops are due in Afghanistan by the end of 2009.Some 68,000 US troops are due in Afghanistan by the end of 2009.
Mr Obama met Gen Stanley McChrystal on Air Force One in Copenhagen last week.Mr Obama met Gen Stanley McChrystal on Air Force One in Copenhagen last week.
The president has said the strategy in Afghanistan must be agreed before a decision can be made on troop numbers.The president has said the strategy in Afghanistan must be agreed before a decision can be made on troop numbers.
Gen McChrystal had described the situation in Afghanistan as "serious" and is believed to have requested up to 40,000 additional troops.Gen McChrystal had described the situation in Afghanistan as "serious" and is believed to have requested up to 40,000 additional troops.
He is believed to want the focus of the strategy to fall on protecting the Afghan people and carrying the fight to the Taliban.He is believed to want the focus of the strategy to fall on protecting the Afghan people and carrying the fight to the Taliban.
US strategy will be discussed in a series of Obama administration meetings this week.US strategy will be discussed in a series of Obama administration meetings this week.
At the weekend, the new head of the British Army, Gen Sir David Richards, backed calls for more international forces, saying that reinforcements would enable Nato to achieve its objectives more quickly and with fewer casualties.At the weekend, the new head of the British Army, Gen Sir David Richards, backed calls for more international forces, saying that reinforcements would enable Nato to achieve its objectives more quickly and with fewer casualties.