WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional lawmakers are moving quickly to hold hearings on President Barack Obama's plan to send 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.
Senate Armed Services Committee members plan to grill top administration officials about the troop buildup today. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will all testify.
The hearing isn't expected to be a cakewalk. Panel chairman Carl Levin is a skeptic on Afghanistan. He says the key to victory is a surge by Afghan forces, not Americans.
The planned surge of U.S. troops would raise the American military presence in Afghanistan to about 100,000.
%@AP Links
Sound:
<<CUT …040 (12/02/09)>> 00:35 "''
Mark Smith
President Barack Obama has ordered a troop surge in Afghanistan -- and now must sell it to a skeptical public and Congress. AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports.
<<CUT …041 (12/02/09)>> 00:36 "''
Mark Smith
The president's Afghanistan buildup faces dissent from both ends of the political spectrum. AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports.
<<CUT …042 (12/02/09)>> 00:21 "forces not Americans"
Mark Smith
AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports the selling of this plan begins today on Capitol Hill.
<<CUT …043 (12/02/09)>> 00:18 "recapture the initiative"
Mark Smith
AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports the buildup President Barack Obama is ordering is faster than most expected.
<<GRAPHICSBANK 1063548 (12/01/09)>> 2000x1500
Barack Obama headshot, as US President, over US Marines in Afghanistan, partial graphic
<<GRAPHICSBANK 1063550 (12/01/09)>> 2000x1500
Barack Obama headshot, as US President, over US Marines in Afghanistan, with AFGHAN STRATEGY lettering, finished graphic
