(February 17, 2009 - Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images North America)
President Obama is reportedly ready to announce his decision on troop deployment and Afghan strategy. How many times have we heard that? As his time of deliberation approaches the 90 day water mark, I think most Americans would be less than surprised to hear that this President has decided to call for another delay. That being said, his decision is expected within “days” and will reportedly be shared with the nation on national television. Can you say Black Friday surprise? More accurately, black Friday surprise that nobody will witness. It is unlikely that the decision will come down until after the holiday, but I would not be shocked to see him slip another Friday announcement under the radar – especially if his troop decision is… less than adequate. He met for the tenth time with his “war council” and is expected to make an announcement in the days to come.
The session in the Situation Room on Monday with officials including Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates marked the ninth such meeting.
Obama is nearing a decision on whether to add as many as 40,000 troops to an eight-year-old war that began after the September 11 attacks and has begun to try the patience of Americans.
“After completing a rigorous final meeting, President Obama has the information he wants and needs to make his decision and he will announce that decision within days,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in an email.
Obama’s announcement is widely expected to come before a NATO meeting on December 7 in Europe in which alliance members could agree to send thousands of additional trainers.
There are about 110,000 foreign troops, including 68,000 U.S. soldiers, in Afghanistan fighting Taliban insurgents.
Obama has been reviewing war strategy in Afghanistan for the past two months after Army General Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander there, said in a report that conditions were deteriorating and 40,000 additional troops were needed as the minimum to quell the insurgency.
UPDATE
Fox News is reporting that the President will address the nation on Tuesday in Primetime. He is expected to request air time from the nation’s networks at some point this afternoon.
The President will address the nation Tuesday at 8pm from West Point Military Academy. He will meet with approximately 30-35 members of Congress and brief them on his plan Tuesday afternoon before boarding Air Force One to head to New York.
Bout time he made a decision on this. Not at all surprised that he shares this news with everyone so that they can defend him over the holiday.
He made the decision according to reason and deliberation. I think this is a better course than revenge and outrage like his predecessor.
[...] and across the net and mainstream media as to what the President has decided to do after nearly 100 days of deliberation. Sunday night he briefed Military commanders and told many of them to pack their bags according [...]