The situation in Afghanistan continues to worsen. Good thing the Obama administration has its priorities in the right place…
“Rampant government corruption might derail the fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan even if as many as 80,000 additional U.S. troops were sent to the war, the top military commander there has concluded, according to U.S. officials briefed on his recommendations.”
“The conclusion by Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal is part of a still-secret document that requests more troops even as he warns that they ultimately may not prevent terrorists from turning Afghanistan back into a haven.”
“McChrystal has outlined three options for additional troops — from as many as 80,000 to as few as 10,000 to 15,000, according to officials at the Pentagon and White House.”
“Each option carries a high risk of failing, according to U.S. officials, although they said McChrystal concluded that fewer troops will bring the highest risks.”
“Allegations of widespread fraud in Afghanistan’s Aug. 20 presidential election threaten to scuttle the international strategy to combat the burgeoning Taliban insurgency. The elections were marred by claims of ballot box stuffing and voter coercion, and officials now are recounting a sample of 10 percent of ballot boxes from 3,063 polling stations with suspect results.”
“Corruption can lead to citizens rejecting their government and sometimes even aligning with rebel or insurgent groups. That in turn creates chaos that can lead to security problems and long-term instability.”
On a related note, the American people now favor an Afghanistan troop surge…
“As President Obama mulls the military’s request for a big troop build-up in Afghanistan, Americans have swung in favor of such a move, according to a new IBD/TIPP Poll.”
“The survey of 927 adults found that a plurality of 48% favors sending more troops and resources to Afghanistan. That’s a sharp reversal from September, when Americans opposed the idea, 55%-35%.”
“Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forc es in Afghanistan, has reportedly asked for another 40,000 troops to help control rising violence.”
“But Obama is in no rush to make a decision, holding a series of high-level meetings with military and political advisers on his next move.”
