More US troops in Afghanistan?

General McChrystal is preparing a new request for additional troops in Afghanistan.

As the NYT reports: Shortly after taking office Mr. Obama ordered 17,000 more combat troops and 4,000 more trainers to Afghanistan, and once they all arrive the American force there will number 68,000.

There are also 40,000 other troops from other countries, for a total of 110,000.

Also, the Afghan government currently has about 134,000 police officers and 82,000 soldiers, although many of them are poorly equipped and have little logistical support.

But there is also a civilian "surge" that shows well that Obama doesn't care very much about sending civilians and prefers the military: he announced that 450 new civilians would be sent to Afghanistan, and only 90 to 100 of those have arrived there. (They are mostly from USAID, the Department of Agriculture, and the State Department).