Updated: 10/1/2009 6:21:43 AM
The Taliban is expanding and al Qaeda is better protected.
What should President Obama do about the mess in Afghanistan?
How will he change U.S. strategy?
That was the subject of a major meeting Wednesday at the White House.
President Obama called all hands to the situation room underneath the West Wing.
Secretary of State Clinton, Defense Secretary Gates National Security advisor Jones and Vice President Biden.
Also the CIA, the NSA, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Mullen, Central Commander Petraeus, who stabilized Iraq, and the general running the war in Afghanistan, Stanley McCrystal, who wants 40,000 more troops.
"We're going to discuss a strategy before we get into the tactics to implement the strategy," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
President Obama spelled out his goal on Tuesday.
"Dismantling, disrupting and destroying the al Qaeda network," he said.
But some of that can be done by drones in Pakistan.
6 alleged militants were killed Wednesday.
Should McChrystal's force in Afghanistan go from 68,000 to over 100,000? His backers say yes.
"We need to have the number of troops that have been recommended," said republican senator john mccain of Arizona.
"Now he's asked for 40,000 more troops. You give it to him! Said NBC Military Analyst and retired Army General Barry McCaffrey. ?But it's 4 or 5 billion dollars a month. It's gonna be several hundred killed and wounded a month."
And democrats like John Kerry caution, don't just believe the generals.
"They were incorrect in Vietnam. They were false in Iraq and it is critical for us if you are asking for young Americans to put their lives on the line the strategy is equal to the sacrifice you're asking them to make," said Kerry.
Conflicting advice, as President Obama decides what to do in Afghanistan.
Republican leaders say delaying the decision is endangering U.S. troops.
A top aide called that charge a bunch of game playing.
