Obama on Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama will speak in a televised address Dec. 1 about his plans for U.S. involvement in Afghanistan.

The White House early Tuesday said Obama would reveal his plans regarding military deployments in the talk. Obama has had a series of meetings with his so-called War Cabinet in recent weeks, the most recent was a two-hour session Monday evening.

He has been considering a request from U.S. Army Gen Stanley McChrystal for an additional 40,000 troops. McChrystal sent the suggestion to civilian leaders in late August. In the 66-page memo, obtained by The Washington Post, he said the Afghan mission would "likely result in failure" if more troops weren't committed to the fighting.

Afghanistan was invaded in 2001 to oust the Taliban leadership after it provided a haven for suspected al-Qaida planners of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. The battle to stabilize the country continues.

The fighting in Afghanistan has grown increasingly unpopular with the U.S. public and even more so with members of Congress, who must approve additional funding should an increase in deployments be ordered by Obama.

The United States has also been seeking additional support from NATO allies.