Pentagon Studies Possibilities for More Troops to Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service ^ | Jim Garamone WASHINGTON, July 18, 2008 – Pentagon planners are studying ways to get more U.S. troops to Afghanistan quickly. “We're constantly reviewing troop needs, troop levels,” President Bush said during a July 2 news conference. “We're halfway through 2008; as I said, we're going to increase troops by 2009.” U.S. and international leaders agree on the need for more troops in Afghanistan. A statement released at the end of the NATO Summit in Bucharest in April stressed the need for allies to provide troops needed in Afghanistan. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan has unmet requirements for more forces, including three combat battalions. The NATO force also needs more helicopters and airlift assets, officials have said. ISAF, which includes such non-NATO... [read full story]