Bush Extends Stay for 3,200 Troops in Afghanistan

Airmen perform a post flight inspection on a F-15 Strike Eagle jet in Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan on Monday

President Bush said today he was extending the stay of 3,200 American troops in Afghanistan to help the NATO-commanded force there combat an anticipated spring offensive by the Taliban.

Mr. Bush said the those troops would remain there for another four months and then would be replaced by new force of comparable size that would remain there for the “foreseeable future.” The increase would boost American forces in the country to 27,000, the highest level since 2001.

Those new troops would be in addition to those being sent to Iraq or already deployed there.

Read the rest at the NY Times

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