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Obama seeks advice on Afghanistan Obama seeks advice on Afghanistan
(about 4 hours later)
US President Barack Obama is due to meet his top national security advisers as speculation mounts over likely changes to US strategy in Afghanistan. US President Barack Obama was due to meet top national security advisers as speculation mounts over likely changes to US strategy in Afghanistan.
The White House meeting of his Afghan "war council" follows a closed-door session with key members of Congress. The president's Afghan "war council" was expected to discuss the volatile situation in neighbouring Pakistan.
It comes eight years after the start of US-led operations in Afghanistan. It comes eight years after the start of US-led operations in Afghanistan and amid new evidence of fraud in recent elections in Afghanistan.
Mr Obama is considering a new approach in Afghanistan. Last week his commander there, Gen Stanley McChrystal, called for a substantial troop increase. Last week the US commander there called for a substantial troop increase.
Wednesday's meeting is the third of five planned gatherings of the president's National Security Council, and will also include several other high-ranking government and military officials. Gen Stanley McChrystal, appointed by Mr Obama earlier this year with a brief to revamp the US approach in Afghanistan, recently submitted a major strategy review to the president.
During Tuesday's meeting with senior members of Congress, Mr Obama reportedly ruled out cutting the numbers of troops currently in Afghanistan. Pentagon officials now say a formal request for more troops - perhaps as many as 40,000, reports say - has been sent to the White House.
The focus on Afghanistan comes as the Washington Post published voter turnout data from Afghanistan's recent presidential election.
The data, which had been kept confidential by the UN's chief envoy, Kai Eide, reflects badly on Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who in some provinces recorded tens of thousands more votes than estimates of the number of people who voted.
Afghanistan's election process has been dogged by accusations of fraud and malpractice since polling day in August.
'Sense of urgency''Sense of urgency'
Eight years after the US formed an international coalition to oust the Taliban government and hunt al-Qaeda leaders in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, Afghanistan remains a deadly place for foreign forces.Eight years after the US formed an international coalition to oust the Taliban government and hunt al-Qaeda leaders in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, Afghanistan remains a deadly place for foreign forces.
ANALYSIS Mark Mardell, BBC News, WashingtonANALYSIS Mark Mardell, BBC News, Washington
President Obama is narrowing his options in Afghanistan, probably in reaction to media speculation.President Obama is narrowing his options in Afghanistan, probably in reaction to media speculation.
He told a meeting of his most senior security advisers last week that pulling out was not an option: it wasn't on the table.He told a meeting of his most senior security advisers last week that pulling out was not an option: it wasn't on the table.
Now he has used his meeting with senior politicians of both parties on the Hill to make it clear he's not going to slash troop numbers or narrow the goals to only targeting the top terrorists. Read Mark's thoughts in fullNow he has used his meeting with senior politicians of both parties on the Hill to make it clear he's not going to slash troop numbers or narrow the goals to only targeting the top terrorists. Read Mark's thoughts in full
Suicide attacks on Afghan civilians and roadside bomb strikes on international troops are common, with the Taliban strongly resurgent in many areas of the country.Suicide attacks on Afghan civilians and roadside bomb strikes on international troops are common, with the Taliban strongly resurgent in many areas of the country.
Leaked reports of a recent major strategy review by Gen McChrystal highlighted the general's call for extra US soldiers - perhaps up to 40,000 - as part of a new approach to the conflict. Leaked reports of Gen McChrytal's recent strategy review highlighted his call for extra US soldiers as part of a new approach to the conflict.
And on 1 October, Gen McChrystal told a London think tank: "We have under-resourced our operations, in some areas we have under-performed, in some areas we have under-co-ordinated and in some ways we have not overcome very intrinsic disadvantages."And on 1 October, Gen McChrystal told a London think tank: "We have under-resourced our operations, in some areas we have under-performed, in some areas we have under-co-ordinated and in some ways we have not overcome very intrinsic disadvantages."
But although Mr Obama is now reported to have ruled out troop cuts or a major scaling back of the US effort in Afghanistan, it remains unclear whether he will approve a significant escalation to an increasingly unpopular war. Mr Obama is now reported to have ruled out troop cuts or a major scaling back of the US effort in Afghanistan, but it remains unclear whether he will approve a significant escalation to an increasingly unpopular war.
Mr Obama told key members of Congress that he would decide on a course of action with a sense of urgency - but that not everyone would be pleased. The president, who is expected to hold another high-level consultation on Friday, could begin considering Gen McChrystal's request for more troops by the end of the week, his spokesman said.
Mr Obama has said the strategy in Afghanistan must be agreed before a decision can be made on troop numbers.
Gen McChrystal is believed to want the focus of the strategy to fall on protecting the Afghan people and carrying the fight to the Taliban.
"The president is going to make a decision - popular or unpopular - based on what he thinks is in the best interests of the country," White House press spokesman Robert Gibbs insisted."The president is going to make a decision - popular or unpopular - based on what he thinks is in the best interests of the country," White House press spokesman Robert Gibbs insisted.
'Complex' decision'Complex' decision
The latest meeting of the National Security Council is expected to include senior government officials and advisers as well as field commanders and regional ambassadors. The latest meeting of the National Security Council was expected to include senior government officials and advisers as well as field commanders and regional ambassadors.
Among those attending previous meetings were Vice-President Joe Biden - a veteran senator with extensive foreign affairs experience - and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.Among those attending previous meetings were Vice-President Joe Biden - a veteran senator with extensive foreign affairs experience - and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Eight years in Afghanistan in quotes US media reflects bitter debate Indecision reveals uncertaintyEight years in Afghanistan in quotes US media reflects bitter debate Indecision reveals uncertainty
Military commanders including Gen David Petraeus, architect of former President George Bush's Iraq "surge" strategy, and Adm Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have also taken part.Military commanders including Gen David Petraeus, architect of former President George Bush's Iraq "surge" strategy, and Adm Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have also taken part.
Wednesday's meeting could focus on Pakistan, reports say, where the US remains concerned about the ability of the government in Islamabad to effectively hunt down al-Qaeda leaders sheltering in tribal regions. Wednesday's meeting should focus on Pakistan, reports say, where the US remains concerned about the ability of the government in Islamabad to effectively hunt down al-Qaeda leaders sheltering in tribal regions.
The group is expected to reconvene on Friday, with one final meeting ahead. Mr Obama has not given a timetable for making a decision.The group is expected to reconvene on Friday, with one final meeting ahead. Mr Obama has not given a timetable for making a decision.
The BBC's Mark Mardell, in Washington, says there appears to be a frustration that the review of strategy has sometimes been portrayed in black and white terms of a massive increase or reduction of troop numbers.The BBC's Mark Mardell, in Washington, says there appears to be a frustration that the review of strategy has sometimes been portrayed in black and white terms of a massive increase or reduction of troop numbers.
Dr Anthony Cordesman, an adviser to General McChrystal, told the BBC the decision was much more complex than was being portrayed.Dr Anthony Cordesman, an adviser to General McChrystal, told the BBC the decision was much more complex than was being portrayed.
"It is a very big decision and it involves a great deal more than simply troop levels."It is a very big decision and it involves a great deal more than simply troop levels.
HAVE YOUR SAYWe seem to be locked into a situation that may turn out to be a humiliating defeat Peter Lee, Morecambe Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYWe seem to be locked into a situation that may turn out to be a humiliating defeat Peter Lee, Morecambe Send us your comments
"There's a decision as to what strategy to pursue, how committed to stay in Afghanistan, how to deal with Nato and Isaf [International Assistance Security Force] allies, how to reshape the aid programme - and how to deal with the future of the Afghan government."There's a decision as to what strategy to pursue, how committed to stay in Afghanistan, how to deal with Nato and Isaf [International Assistance Security Force] allies, how to reshape the aid programme - and how to deal with the future of the Afghan government.
"So this is much more than simply a military strategy decision.""So this is much more than simply a military strategy decision."
By the end of 2009 there will be a total of 68,000 US troops in Afghanistan, based on current deployment plans.By the end of 2009 there will be a total of 68,000 US troops in Afghanistan, based on current deployment plans.
Mr Obama has said the strategy in Afghanistan must be agreed before a decision can be made on troop numbers.
Gen McChrystal is believed to want the focus of the strategy to fall on protecting the Afghan people and carrying the fight to the Taliban.
  

Isaf's major combat teams in Afghanistan

Isaf's provincial reconstruction teams in Afghanistan

  

Isaf's major combat teams in Afghanistan

Isaf's provincial reconstruction teams in Afghanistan

Over 40 countries contribute forces to the international mission in Afghanistan. Isaf has full details of current contributing nations.Over 40 countries contribute forces to the international mission in Afghanistan. Isaf has full details of current contributing nations.