Gates Hints At New Afghanistan Plan

Secretary Of Defense Tells Reporters Bush Administration "Looking At" Current Strategy

(CBS/AP)  Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the Bush administration is considering possible changes in its war strategy in Afghanistan in light of rising levels of violence and a more complex insurgent threat.

Gates made the remark to reporters in advance of a NATO meeting at which he said he would be raising the issue of how to pay for a planned doubling in the size of the Afghan national army. He called the building up of the Afghan army the ultimate exit strategy for both the U.S. and its allies.

Gates was not explicit about the nature of the U.S. strategy review. When pressed by reporters, he would say only that the administration is "looking at" the current strategy.

On Wednesday, Gates expressed "personal regret" for recent U.S. airstrikes that killed Afghan civilians, and pledged more accurate targeting in future.

Gates' unusual apology was evidence of what a major point of contention civilian casualties have become with the Afghan government, reported CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.

The civilian casualties also point to a fundamental problem facing the U.S. in Afghanistan - not enough troops. The shortage forces commanders to rely on air strikes in going after the Taliban and al Qaeda, and air strikes invariably produce civilian casualties.

After meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and other senior government officials, Gates said at a news conference, "As I told them, I offer all Afghans my sincere condolences and personal regret for the recent loss of innocent life as a result of coalition airstrikes."

Also this week, the commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David McKiernan, said he needed a total of four more combat brigades - roughly 15,000 troops - in order to cover the terrain. One of those brigades is due to arrive in January, a second could get there in May, but it will depend on further withdrawals from Iraq, Martin reported.

It could be 2010 before the fourth brigade gets there, so the problem of not enough troops is not going to be solved any time soon.

[stn_sage]

WHAT?! He''s meeting to discuss a plan on how to PAY FOR IT?!

Hey idiot, GATES! It''s NOT OUR problem! THAT''S THEY''RE problem! They need a bigger army to protect and defend THEIR country, than they better raise it and pay for it!

The last time I heard---Afghanistan was the world''s biggest exporter of opium! They make BIG monies!
THEY can afford to pay for it themselves!

[feedback3-2009]

I''m just glad it only took eight years for these idiots to figure out where the war is.

Personally, I am currently living in a Holiday Inn on the border with Pakistan. Bin Laden hogs the Ms Pacman machine in the game room.

[notblue]

feedback ,if your old enough to recall we started fighting back in afghanistan first, remember the TALIBAN TOOK OVER THE COUNTRY and we defeated them and restored democracy to the people who are still in control? Just thought you should know.

[armydog2]

aothah
No they should not have to pay taxes for time served in a warzone!

[tomar0317]

I don''t understand these apologies, really. Our president said back in 2001 that we were going after Osama. All countries were aware of our intent and that anyone standing in the way would be held accountable, innocent civilians or not. Those who harbour terrorists are not civilians. Of course our president then changed from getting Osama to Sadam. Sadam did not help in the 2001 strikes. My, have we forgotten or what?

[inventagod2]

Our terrorist Pentagoons are so out of control!
The world is convinced the US is only in Afghanistan and Iraq for oil and heroin.
The invasions were based upon lies and greed.
Nothing changes...
The US public is isolated by a fascist-owned press.

[stn_sage]

Where is my rights!!!

Posted by aothah at 01:06 PM : Sep 18, 2008
----------------
The same place everyone else''s is---the next dimension!
That is, disappeared or fast disappearing! YUP!

Welcome back, to GOP America, buddy!

Get use to it, or vote to change it! It''s up to you!

[babooph]

I guess our "embedded " news guys did not notice almost 100 dead bodies of kids & mothers-any chance we can get goat herders cellphone pix from now on instead of our embedded propagandist trash ???

[petro49l]

Bin Laden does not want more Americans in Afghanistan. He only requires a better harvest of potent poppies. Osama makes exotic tar heroin in technical isomizers for narcotics Addicts in the United States. He is fully-protected by Islamabad. The Saudis fund Al Qada to continue the war. The fighting justifies a high price for a barrel of oil.