Obama aides accuse Pentagon of pressuring president over Afghanistan

Tensions between the White House and senior members of the US armed forces are rising over the toughest decision the president has faced in his first year. Senior military officials and Republicans have accused him of dithering over the troop request from Gen Stanley McChrystal, the US and Nato commander in Afghanistan.

McClatchy Newspapers and CBS News have reported that the president is set to announce between 34,000 and 40,000 extra US soldiers, numbers that would be at the upper end of Gen McChrystal's expectations.

The reports said he would commit three combat brigades as part of the buildup over the next 12 months, as well support troops, and an additional contingent for training Afghan security forces to combat the Taliban.

Two senior administration officials told CNN that they believed the information was being leaked by Pentagon sources trying to box in the president.

<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/6539322/Obama-aides-accuse-Pentagon-of-pressuring-president-over-Afghanistan.html>