Obama orders 30,000 more troops; MacChrystal terms troop surge as 'the end of the beginning' of the eight-year-old war; UN, India, EU, Japan welcome Obama’s new strategy;
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    • President Obama ordered an additional 30,000 troops to be deployed to Afghanistan, ending speculations about the administration’s move on the request by Gen. McChrystal. The troops would be in addition to the 68,000 US troops already deployed.1 Afghan President Hamid Karzai was also briefed ahead of the announcement during a speech at West Point. Mr. Obama also stated that American forces would begin returning home after 18 months and added that Americans had “no interest in occupying your country.” He asserted that the Karzai Administration could no longer expect a “blank check” from the US and urged it to act fast in not only providing good governance but also building up security forces capable of taking over once the US forces left.2

    Gen. MacChrystal stated that the troop surge was “the end of the beginning” of the eight-year-old war and urged US troops to intensity their efforts in the difficult months ahead.3 The additional troops would be moved into the volatile south of the country to help prevent insurgent activities.

    UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, India, EU, Japan among others welcomed the new American approach.4 India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that it was “essential that the international community shows unwavering commitment in resolutely opposing, resisting and overcoming terrorism and those who nurture, sustain and give sanctuary to terrorists and extremist elements.”5

    US ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry, testifying along with Gen. McChrystal before the House Armed Services Committee stated that the US was at a critical juncture in its involvement in the country. Eikenberry stated that President Obama's new strategy was the “best” path to stabilise Afghanistan and ensure that al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups did not regain a foothold to plan new attacks against Washington and its allies.6

    The Taliban on its part asserted that the new US strategy “will fail … and will face fiasco.”7 25 NATO allies meanwhile promised to send 7,000 more troops. NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stated that the development was "solidarity in action …”8

    The US House of Representatives approved nearly $2.6 billion in financial assistance to Afghanistan as part of a massive $1.1 trillion 2010 appropriations bill.9

    Germany promised compensation for relatives of more than 140 Afghan civilians killed in a controversial Kunduz air strike on oil truck tankers. German defence minister, after visiting the scene of the September 4 air raid, made this announcement on December 12.10

    In other developments, NATO-led troops killed 36 militants and destroyed a key Taliban stronghold consisting of bunkers and defensive positions in the eastern province of Kunar, bordering Pakistan's volatile tribal region of Bajaur.11

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