Report: Obama Will Send 34K Troops to Afghanistan

Prez finalized decision last night, will address nation next week
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 24, 2009 7:08 AM CST
Updated Nov 24, 2009 7:57 AM CST
Report: Obama Will Send 34K Troops to Afghanistan
Members of the 3rd platoon Apache Company 2-87 Infantry, 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, NY, board a Black Hawk helicopter in Wardak province, Afghanistan.    (AP Photo/Dima Gavrysh)

President Obama has made his choice on Afghan strategy after months of deliberations and will announce it next week, administration sources tell McClatchy. The president finalized his decision to send another 34,000 troops in meetings last night, and plans to address the nation on the choice next Tuesday, prior to congressional hearings.

The plan, which comes close to granting Gen. Stanley McChrystal's request for another 40,000 troops, contains "off-ramps" in which the flow of more troops can be halted or swiftly reversed depending on the military and political situation, defense officials say. It's "not just how we get people there, but what's the strategy for getting them out," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters yesterday. (More President Obama stories.)

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