ISW Explains What Forces Are Available For An Afghanistan Troop Increase

ISW Contributor Wes Morgan composed a document which shows how an increase of 40,000 – 45,000 troops is possible according to the forces the U.S. has available to deploy.

Washington, D.C. - Last week, Dr. Kim Kagan and Dr. Fred Kagan released their comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan which called for an additional 40,000 - 45,000 troop increase in order to successfully implement a counterinsurgency strategy that could defeat the Taliban and al Qaeda.

This week, ISW Contributor Wes Morgan has produced a thorough report which describes the American forces available for deployment to Afghanistan in the coming year. It begins by detailing American brigades currently in Afghanistan, followed by brigades with orders to deploy, and thenprovides details on;brigades available for deployment in late 2009/early 2010.

I fully agree with President Obama's statement today saying 'it is absolutely critical that we are successful in dismantling, disrupting, destroying the al Qaeda network' To achieve the President's stated objectives, one must fully resource and implement a counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan which means an increase in forces. Anything less will continue to repeat the failures of the past 8 years," explained ISW President Kim Kagan.

Dr. Kagan continued, "Adding more troops to Afghanistan is not an end in itself; the proper strategy, developed by General McChrystal in support of President Obama’s regional goals, simply requires additional resources at this time."

Forces Available for Afghanistan can be found here: http://www.understandingwar.org/reference/forces-available-afghanistan-september-2009

Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is a private, nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution whose goal is to educate current and future decision makers and thereby enhance the quality of policy debates.  The Institute’s work is addressed to government officials and legislators, teachers and students, business executives, professionals, journalists, and all citizens interested in a serious understanding of war and government policy