No Troops for McChrystal?

Although General Stanley McChrystal, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, has submitted a request for an undisclosed number of additional troops for the country, Reuters reports that the Pentagon will sit on the request until President Obama has a chance to analyze strategy and make an informed decision. Several White House strategy meetings are planned for next week. McChrystal has said that his operation is at risk of failing if more troops are not provided. Over 100,000 troops, including 63,000 Americans, are currently in Afghanistan and officials have estimated that McChrystal could ask for about 30,000 more. Obama, who has already sent 21,000 additional troops to Afghanistan this year, has made it clear that he wants to complete a thorough assessment before approving any more increases. He has been criticized by Republicans for taking too long to decide. A recent Gallup poll said 50 percent of Americans would oppose a decision to send more troops and 41 percent would support it.