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March 27, 2009

Obama to Order Additional 4,000 Troops to Afghanistan
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President Obama is expected to unveil today a major expansion of US
military efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Following a two-month
review, Obama will reportedly order an additional 4,000 troops to
Afghanistan on top of the 17,000 new combat troops authorized last
month. The Washington Post reports Obama’s plan will require a 60
percent increase to the $2 billion in monthly US military costs in
Afghanistan. Administration officials also say they’ll impose new
“benchmarks” on their allies in the Afghan and Pakistani governments.
The plan will also reportedly include reconciliation efforts aimed at
low-level Taliban fighters while shunning top leaders. On Thursday,
National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair estimated some two-thirds of
pro-Taliban groups are motivated by basic concerns such as inadequate
water supplies or access to education.



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