Obama turns to Congress, allies to support massive, costly troop expansion in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Democrats are complaining about President Barack Obama's escalation of the war in Afghanistan and Republicans are unhappy with his promise to withdraw troops in 18 months, but Congress appears willing to approve the buildup's $30 billion price tag.
Lawmakers planned to use two days of high-profile hearings on the war, beginning Wednesday, to express their misgivings about the plan, which calls for a quick infusion of troops through July 2011, when the U.S. will begin to withdraw its forces.
Obama's escalation strategy won quick backing from NATO allies. But Afghan leaders, while praising the speech, had questions about the 18-month timetable for withdrawal.
Obama pledged Tuesday night to an audience of Army cadets at the U.S. Military Academy that the shift from surge to exit strategy would depend on the military situation in Afghanistan.
"We will execute this transition responsibly, taking into account conditions on the ground," Obama said, declaring that the nation's security was at stake and that the additional troops were needed to "bring this war to a successful conclusion."
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Top US commander in Afghanistan "absolutely supportive" of 18-month timeline for US surge
KABUL (AP) _ The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan says he's "absolutely supportive" of the 18-month timeline for President Barack Obama's troop surge even if Taliban forces try to wait out the increased U.S. commitment.
Gen. Stanley McChrystal told reporters Wednesday that even if the Taliban lay low, the 18-month period allows time to bolster Afghan military and governing capability to make it harder for the militants to return.
McChrystal also pointed out that the 18-month period to begin a U.S. withdrawal depends on conditions on the ground.
The general spoke after Obama announced plans to send 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan but begin a drawdown in July 2011 as conditions permit.
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Iran releases 5 British sailors detained after their yacht mistakenly entered Iranian waters
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Iran released on Wednesday five British sailors detained last week when their 60-foot racing yacht drifted accidentally into Iran's Persian Gulf waters and was seized. Britain welcomed the end of the men's ordeal.
The elite Revolutionary Guard, whose navy had stopped the vessel, interrogated the yachtsmen and found that their "illegal entry" into Iranian waters had been a mistake, the official IRNA news agency said.