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White House schedules huddle with national security team on Afghanistan

By Michael O'Brien - 11/23/09 09:59 AM ET

President Barack Obama will huddle with his national security team on Monday evening to discuss several policy options for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The unexpected meeting is fueling speculation that a final decision on Afghanistan may be imminent.

The White House updated the president's schedule Monday morning to reflect a meeting with national security principals in the Obama administration's ongoing consideration of strategy for U.S. forces in southeast Asia.

The group will meet at 8 p.m. Monday, and will include Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, Gen. Stanley McChrystal and other top civilian and military leaders.

Obama said during an interview with NBC News last week that he would make a final decision about his strategy for Afghanistan in the coming weeks.

The president has been under pressure from Republicans in Congress to hasten his pace on a decision, which they say should back McChrystal's recommendation for as many as 40,000 new troops in the region.

Source:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/69091-obama-to-huddle-with-national-security-team-on-afghanistan

Comments (7)

Shouldn't this 'Huddle' have happened back in August when General McChrystal first made his request?! This is no longer dithering, this is 'Criminal Negligence'!BY Jim on 11/23/2009 at 10:26
Jim,If President decides sending more troops will serve our national security interest of a long-term strategic exit of Afghanistan, the troops won't be sent until the spring at the earliest anyway, so what's the rush?Obama has had several "huddles" (guess you haven't been paying attention, much like the former occupant of the White House) with his national security team regarding Afghanistan. Unlike our former President who acting without thinking, we now have a President who actually thinks for himself after gathering in a wide range of information and viewpoints. The criminal negligence happened during the Presidency of the the poser George Herbert Walker Bush did immeasurable harm to this nation's economy national security.BY Paul Cornett on 11/23/2009 at 12:58
Huddle? As in get together and toss the little football around. Then Obama takes the ball and goes home to watch reruns of the Healthcare Halftime Show starring Harry and Mary.BY Grace on 11/23/2009 at 13:34
We should only be grateful that we are not in a 3rd World War we would be wiped off the earth waiting for the Pres to make a decision!BY William on 11/23/2009 at 15:42
It takes time, especially at this time of the year, to notify the soldiers and their families of the orders. There is airlift and logistics to be marshaled. In short, it is a big undertaking which the US Armed Forces know how to do it and are superb at executing. That said, this decision has been too long in the making, the snail knows now what he knew months ago. I see General McChrystal will finally get to the table. I agree with Jim and I disagree with Paul. The troops will flow before the Spring and they will be used to create much needed security on the ground. The longer the delay the longer it will take to get them in theater. There is a real question as to whether this President has the will necessary to Command. President Bush proved he did when he ordered the surge and selected a new Commander to Lead the outstanding All Volunteer Force to a remarkable and brave military success over al Qaeda against high odds. Jury is out on Obama. You need sufficient forces to keep the enemy from making contact or breaking away from it. That is why they are needed now and delay just advantages the enemy.BY graham on 11/23/2009 at 15:58
The WH needs to stop having press releases every time something remotely close to decision making involving the military happens, just do it!. Everyone is aware that the military is held in low esteem by these clowns and not a priority. If the military situation was important to the Pres. or WH then something would have been done, see stimulus unnecessary spending, healthcare, climate change, etc… This admin. is fast becoming a laughingstock and we about to witness another Clintonian type exodus out of the military.BY Winfield on 11/23/2009 at 16:11
Your 'right' about one thing PAUL CORNETT, we do have a president that thinks for himself, unfortunatelly he thinks 'only' for himself as well! You are defending an empty suit! His procrastination on Afghanistan has nothing to do with fact 'gathering', and everything to do with a lack of executive experience, a lack of respect for our Military and a fundimental dislike, for this country!BY jim on 11/23/2009 at 16:44

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