Afghanistan

Obama sees Afghan situation deteriorating Reuters — The situation in Afghanistan seems to be getting worse and a solution will require more than just military force, U.S. President Barack Obama said on Tuesday. "There are a lot of concerns about a conflict that has lasted quite a long time now and actually appears to be deteriorating at this point," he told CBC television in an interview ahead of his visit to Canada on Thursday. click to read complete article

US to boost troops in Afghanstan BBC -- President Barack Obama has authorised the deployment of up to 17,000 extra US troops to Afghanistan, saying they are to "meet urgent security needs". Two brigades - one army and one marine - are to be sent, Mr Obama said in a statement released by the White House. click to read complete article

Obama Says Afghanistan Can't Be Solved by Military Means Alone Bloomberg -- President Barack Obama said the conflict in Afghanistan can’t be won by military means alone, and a solution needs to be “comprehensive.” “I’m absolutely convinced that you cannot solve the problem of Afghanistan, the Taliban, the spread of extremism in that region solely through military means,” Obama said in an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. “We’re going to have to use diplomacy, we’re going to have to use development.” click to read complete article