WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama's Afghanistan strategy would require NATO allies to provide an additional 10,000 troops, U.S. and allied officials said.
While the United States is pressing NATO for that number, The New York Times reported the allies appear to be willing to settle for less than half of that because of declining public support for the Afghan war in their countries. The countries also are concerned about corruption in the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was sworn in last week for a second term in office.
The Times report said a big NATO troop surge would help the Obama administration send that many fewer U.S. troops and soften criticism of the war at home.
A NATO troop surge of 10,000 also would bring the total closer to the 40,000 additional troops sought by the U.S. military, the report said.
Obama is scheduled to announce his Afghan strategy Tuesday. Administration officials told the Times a strong presentation for success in Afghanistan would go a long way toward gathering support in foreign capitals.
Britain has pledged an additional 500 troops but public support for the war is waning and British Defense Secretary Bob Ainsworth was quoted as blaming that in part on the U.S. delay in announcing its strategy.
The Times report said Germany and France have reservations about sending more troops because of similar public opposition problems. The Netherlands and Canada are considering pulling their troops out, the report said.
