More Troops May not Help in Afghanistan

Commander frets over Afghan corruption
Distrust in the government poses major risk, McChrystal concludes
The Associated Press
Oct . 13, 2009

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33300148/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/


WASHINGTON - Rampant government corruption may derail the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaida in Afghanistan even if as many as 80,000 additional U.S. troops are sent to the war, the top military commander there has concluded, according to U.S. officials briefed on his recommendations.

The conclusion by Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal is part of a still-secret document that requests more troops even as he warns that they ultimately may not prevent terrorists from turning Afghanistan back into a haven.
McChrystal has outlined three options for additional troops -- from as many as 80,000 to as few as 10,000 to 15,000, according to officials at the Pentagon and White House.

Each option carries a high risk of failing, according to U.S. officials, although they said McChrystal concluded that fewer troops will bring the highest risks.