Stanley McCrystal

By James Bays in Asia on November 26th, 2009
Photo by EPA
The Commander of NATO and US troops, General Stanley McChrystal is being kept away from the media. He is making no comment as he awaits the final decision on troops numbers from President Obama, due to be announced on December 1. But we already know how he would answer some of the key questions preoccupying insiders in Washington DC.
 
Are US and NATO forces losing in Afghanistan?
 
McCHRYSTAL: The stakes in Afghanistan are high. The situation in Afghanistan is serious; neither success nor failure can be taken for granted.
 
Many indicators suggest the overall situation is deteriorating. We face not only a resilient and growing insurgency; there is also a crisis of confidence among Afghans – in both their government and the international community - that undermines our credibility and emboldens the insurgents.
 
By James Bays in Asia on November 12th, 2009
Photo by Reuters

As President Obama decides how many more troops to send to Afghanistan, it is perhaps useful to check the current figures, and also to explain the complicated organisational structure of the military forces.

By John Terrett in Americas on October 20th, 2009
Photo by Getty Images

For a top priority, the Obama administration is sure taking its time firming up its policy on Afghanistan.

In March, a plan to win the war in the country by battling for the hearts and minds of the people of Afghanistan was announced.

In September, a request for more troops by General Stanley McCrystal, Obama's commander in Afghanistan, was leaked to the media and discussions are continuing.

Now, White House officials seem to be ruling out sending more troops until the Afghan presidential election has been resolved.

A point emphasised by the White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs on Monday:

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