United States – Washington:The new US president Barack Obama’s first major military move. He approves Afghanistan operation by 17,000 more troops. Obama said "This increase is necessary to stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which has not received the strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires."
In a statement Obama said, "There is no more solemn duty as president than the decision to deploy our armed forces into harm’s way," he added that "I do it today mindful that the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan demands urgent attention and swift action."
Last month David McKiernan the US commander in Afghanistan had asked for 30,000 more troops. Significantly building up the 38,000 US force already on the ground battling a growing insurgency. The White House said some 17,000 troops will be deployed to Afghanistan ahead of the Afghan elections scheduled for August 20.
"To meet urgent security needs," Obama said he had approved a request by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to deploy a Marine Expeditionary Brigade in the spring, and an Army Stryker Brigade and support forces later this summer.
"The Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan, and Al-Qaeda supports the insurgency and threatens America from its safe haven along the Pakistani border," Obama warned.