US to increase Afghanistan force
Will sending additional troops help in the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda?
The US administration is planning to send between 20,000 and 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan by next summer.
The move comes as the troops already in the country face mounting difficulties in their fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
Afghanistan’s government has said that it hopes the additional US forces will be sent to the south of the country and the areas bordering Pakistan.
The Taliban, meanwhile, has said that more US troops will equate to more targets for the group.
Will the troop increase make any difference? When Barack Obama becomes US president will he be dragged into a protracted conflict or will he call for a political solution in Afghanistan?
Inside Story, with presenter Shiulie Gosh, discusses.
This episode of Inside Story aired on Monday, December 22, at 1730GMT with repeats at 2230GMT and on Tuesday, December 23, at 0430GMT and 0830GMT.