David McKiernan, the commander in Afghanistan, said the new 17,000 troops will not be enough. What would be enough? It doesn't seem as though any military might is ever enough. Obama's team is still crafting a strategy for the region but troops were apparently needed for the meanwhile.
Military Times: U.S. and allied forces in southern Afghanistan are “at best stalemated” with a resilient and adaptable insurgency, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said Wednesday.
Gen. David McKiernan told a Pentagon news conference that he welcomed the White House’s decision to send more combat troops, but cautioned that fighting will be difficult in the months ahead.
“Even with these additional forces, I have to tell you that 2009 is going to be tough year,” he said.
President Barack Obama on Tuesday approved the dispatching of 17,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan to stabilize what he called a deteriorating situation. They include an Army combat brigade and a Marine expeditionary brigade and will join the approximately 30,000 U.S. troops already there.
“What this allows us to do is change the dynamics of the security situation, predominantly in southern Afghanistan, where we are at best stalemated,” the general said.
