Katie Couric's Notebook: Afghanistan

We knew this would be a long and difficult battle, but many Americans never expected that eight years later, our leaders would be debating whether to send as many as 40-thousand additional troops to fight a resurgent Taliban.

General Stanley McChrystal says he needs more men and women to get the job done - a job that has already cost more than 800 American lives.

But he's facing resistance from those who feel we've sacrificed enough.

Less than a third of Americans think increasing our force is the right move.

The road ahead in Afghanistan is full of potholes and I-E-D's.

No matter how far down it we travel, reaching our destination will require a combination of military strength, political compromise and an even bigger ration - of yes, patience.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.