Family Life

10.12.09 | FL News Team

The discussion over the best way to move forward in Afghanistan is getting louder in Washington, DC. On NBC's "Meet the Press," former Joint Chiefs Chairman General Richard Myers said Afghanistan needs a viable, stable government its people can believe in. Myers said that will help the Afghan security forces to be more effective. Senator Carl Levin, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said right now he is opposed to sending more American troops and argued instead to build up the Afghan forces. The Michigan Democrat said President Obama is currently struggling with figuring out how to maximize the chances of success in the war. Myers said he believes an escalation is necessary, but added not all of the troops have to be from the U.S.

On the same program, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said the current U.S. and NATO forces are not enough to turn around the momentum gained by the Taliban. He said his view is in line with the request from General Stanley McChrystal for around 40-thousand new soldiers to be sent. Retired General Barry McCaffrey added he has always felt the Afghan war has been under-resourced. He said the President and his Cabinet are weighing what he called an "unbelievably difficult" political decision regarding keeping American soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan for years to keep the region stable.