McChrystal worries troops are not enough
The US commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, though he is asking for as many as 80,000 more American troops, has warned in his still-secret report that rampant government corruption could prevent victory against the Taliban and al-Qaeda. McChrystal’s troop request is part of the agenda for Obama’s national security team as the group tries to sort out a strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. But the report says McChrystal has determined that corruption inside Afghanistan could allow terrorists to recreate Afghanistan as their haven. Obama has said although military and security issues will be key elements in his forthcoming decision, “another element is making sure we're doing a good job in building capacity on the civilian side. Our principal goal remains: Root out al-Qaeda and its extremist allies that can launch attacks against the US or its allies.”
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