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/8354410.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Obama in Afghan troop level talks | Obama in Afghan troop level talks |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| US President Barack Obama is to discuss US policy in Afghanistan with his national security team, as speculation mounts over a decision on troop levels. | US President Barack Obama is to discuss US policy in Afghanistan with his national security team, as speculation mounts over a decision on troop levels. |
| A White House spokesman said Mr Obama was considering four options as he headed into the meeting. | A White House spokesman said Mr Obama was considering four options as he headed into the meeting. |
| He denied reports that the president had already settled on a figure and said a decision was still weeks away. | He denied reports that the president had already settled on a figure and said a decision was still weeks away. |
| The top US military commander in Afghanistan has asked for at least 40,000 more US troops there. | The top US military commander in Afghanistan has asked for at least 40,000 more US troops there. |
| Wednesday's meeting comes as an exhaustive review of US strategy in Afghanistan, including troop levels, appears to be drawing to a close. | Wednesday's meeting comes as an exhaustive review of US strategy in Afghanistan, including troop levels, appears to be drawing to a close. |
| Reports citing anonymous officials have suggested that a figure somewhat below the 40,000 suggested by Gen Stanley McChrystal is likely to be chosen. | Reports citing anonymous officials have suggested that a figure somewhat below the 40,000 suggested by Gen Stanley McChrystal is likely to be chosen. |
| ANALYSIS Caroline Wyatt, BBC defence correspondent | |
| President Obama has now had on his desk the report and recommendations from the ISAF commander he appointed in Kabul, Gen Stanley McChrystal, for almost three months. | |
| While British, US and other forces on the ground get on with the task of trying to build a reasonable Afghan security force so that Afghans can ultimately ensure their own security and stability, the fear is that the delay at the White House is helping the Taliban, who - with every ISAF soldier's death - are hitting successfully at the international community's will to continue the campaign. Growing frustration at delay | |
| But on Tuesday White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president was yet to decide. | But on Tuesday White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president was yet to decide. |
| "Anybody who tells you the president has made a decision... doesn't have, in all honesty, the slightest idea what they are talking about," he said. | "Anybody who tells you the president has made a decision... doesn't have, in all honesty, the slightest idea what they are talking about," he said. |
| He gave no details about the four options that he said Mr Obama would weigh up. | He gave no details about the four options that he said Mr Obama would weigh up. |
| Officials have stressed that the review is not just about numbers, but includes decisions on how troops should be deployed. | |
| Among the key outstanding issues is said to be how much the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was recently declared the winner of a widely criticised election, can be relied upon. | |
| One senior source told the BBC that whichever option was chosen, the focus would be on protection and training rather than going out and seeking to kill the Taliban. | |
| Critics have said the decision on Afghanistan is taking too long, while Mr Obama has said he does not want to rush a decision that involves putting troops at risk. | Critics have said the decision on Afghanistan is taking too long, while Mr Obama has said he does not want to rush a decision that involves putting troops at risk. |
| The BBC's Caroline Wyatt says that there is a growing sense of frustration at the length of time it is taking for the White House to make its decision amongst military commanders and politicians from other coalition countries. | |
| As public support for the campaign wanes in almost every Nato ally, the signal sent out by President Obama's decision will be crucial - and the fear is that the current delay sends out a message to other Nato members, to the Afghan people and to the Taliban and al-Qaeda that America and its partners may be wavering, she says. | |
| Any reinforcement of troops is expected to start next spring. | |
| The US currently has some 68,000 troops in Afghanistan, contributing to a coalition force of more than 100,000. |