Updated on
Summary
US Senator John McCain predicted success in the Afghan war effort if President Barack Obama makes a decision quickly to send the reinforcements requested by his top commander there. McCain told a news conference at the Halifax International Security Forum that the delay in reaching a decision on Afghan strategy is creating uncertainty within the military as the situation in Afghanistan continues to worsen. Obama is expected to soon approve an increase in the already record US force of 68,000 in Afghanistan. Months of deliberations over the flagging war are ending, with an announcement of a substantial troop increase expected in the next two weeks. But it is not clear whether Obama will deploy all the reinforcements that McChrystal says are needed. Republicans have accused Obama of dithering about making a decision. McCain expressed confidence that the war against Taliban insurgents could still be turned around.
