Breaking: Obama sending 40,000 troops to Afghanistan

November 9, 5:00 PMPortland Progressive ExaminerMichael Stone

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President Barack Obama
(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

CBS is reporting President Obama has decided to send 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan. The decision indicates one direction of the Obama administration's foreign policy - a large, long term force in Afghanistan.

After months of meetings, conferences and consultations with top advisers, President Obama has determined America's course in Afghanistan.  According to CBS, President Obama will send four combat brigades and thousands more as support troops. All the president's military advisers have recommended sending more troop

General McChrystal, current Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, wanted 40,000 more troops, and all the president's military advisers have recommended sending more troop.

Those paying attention should not be surprised by President Obama's decision. Obama was clear through out the campaign that the war in Afghanistan was worth the enormous cost in American blood and treasure. Obama's decision may come as a surprise to some that speculated or even recommended that Obama would play it safe, sending a few to placate the hawks while not so many as to upset the doves.

President Obama has made a thoughtful, deliberate decision to escalate the war in Afghanistan. General McChrystal claims the US can win in Afghanistan if given the troops. Obama apparently believes McChrystal's claims; Obama will send the troops.

Yet troops alone will not win the war. Afghan President Hamid Karzai must clean up his government, and the Afghans must learn to live in peace. There are no guarantees, and success will come at a price, if it comes at all.

President Obama's new strategy in Afghanistan is a gamble. Time will tell if he, and General McChrystal, made the right bet.