Report on Afghan war will not ask for more troops: US (Delay)

[laststeamtrain]

Source: AFP

Report on Afghan war will not ask for more troops: US

(AFP) – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON — A strategy review by the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan has been delayed and will not include a formal request for more troops, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

The announcement came amid mounting speculation the commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, is preparing the ground to request more US boots on the ground.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates initially had asked the new commander to submit an assessment of the war effort within 60 days of taking over the helm in June.

But after an unannounced meeting with the commander over the weekend in Belgium, Gates has given the general until early September instead of mid-August to complete his assessment, his press secretary, Geoff Morrell said.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gqkZ5bnr2_jyT5I4BThDf9JmvQNQ

[ixion]

1. keyword: "formal"

which leaves the door wide open for an "informal" request, as is already in progress.