President Obama in Jacksonville (AP Photo/Herbert)
President Obama continues to be undecided about troop deployments in Afghanistan, however, casualties have steadily mounted in recent days.
On the deadliest day for Americans in four years in Afghanistan, chopper crashes littered the landscape on Monday. The first helicopter was escaping a firefight with insurgents and 10 Americans were killed. The second was an accidental collision of two helicopters in which four American soldiers were killed and another two were wounded. Another eight American troops were killed in bomb blasts on Tuesday and on Sunday two others were killed in firefights. In all, the U.S. has lost 24 soldiers over the past three days.
After the deaths on Monday, President Obama reiterated in a speech at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville that he will not “rush the solemn decision” to send more troops into Afghanistan. “I won't risk [American] lives unless it is absolutely necessary.”
Critics of Obama's wait-and-see approach say the time for him to make a decision is eminent.
"It's been more than two months since the recommendation went to the president,” said Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ). “And Gen. McChrystal is talking about a 12-month time frame. So clearly time is of the essence here."
The United Nations envoy to Afghanistan, Kai Eide, also urged NATO defense ministers on Friday to send more troops to the country and help stabilize the region. NATO nations, however, are still awaiting a decision from the United States by President Obama.
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