Obama Approves Afghan Troop Surge

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 17, 2009 3:32 PM CST
Obama Approves Afghan Troop Surge
Pakistan army tanks fight near the Afghan border.   (AP Photo)

President Obama has approved an increase in troop levels in Afghanistan, which could put 17,000 more soldiers and Marines on the ground in the coming months, the AP reports. Insiders say they should be in place by the volatile summer period, when warmer weather and upcoming elections are expected to spur an increase in violence. About 36,000 troops are on the ground there now.
(More President Obama stories.)

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