Afghan War

Last month, President Barack Obama announced that he would be sending 17,000 troops to Afghanistan to help the other 36,000 troops stationed there. When questioned about this decision, he replied, "The increase is necessary to stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which has not received the strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires.” 

But wait, I thought President Obama was supposed to be withdrawing troops from the Middle East? What gives? Well, in order to begin withdrawing troops, the places where the troops are stationed need to be stable which, unfortunately, isn't the case right now. Many cities in Afghanistan are growing more violent and chaotic leaving troops feeling overwhelmed and until these cities are secure, we can't withdraw.

Cooper, Helene. "Putting Stamp on Afghan War, Obama Will Send 17,000 Troops." New York Times. 17 February 2009. 15 March 2009. <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/washington/18web-troops.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=afghan%20war&st=cse>.