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WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama convened his national security team Monday to weigh in on the war in Afghanistan, as he mulls a long-term plan that could see more US troops withdraw sooner.
Senior administration officials and military commanders met in the White House Situation Room starting at 10:00 am for their monthly meeting on Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan, according to an official schedule.
The meeting comes amid US public opposition to the war growing and patience in Congress wearing thin, a little over a month after US Navy SEALs killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at his hideout deep in Pakistan.
The killing has fueled further calls for a major withdrawal when Obama fulfills his vow to begin pulling out troops in July, a promise he made in December 2009 before deploying 30,000 “surge” forces in Afghanistan to combat a Taliban insurgency.
During a visit to Afghanistan on Sunday, outgoing Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the looming decision on troop drawdowns could include a timeline for pulling out the surge troops.
The New York Times reported that Obama's national security team is pondering much bigger reductions than those discussed even a few weeks ago following bin Laden's death and amid concerns over the war's cost.
Obama is expected to announce his decision on troop withdrawals in a speech to the nation this month, it added. Roughly 100,000 US troops are still stationed in Afghanistan as part of a 130,000-strong international force.
