Afghan Policy Discussed On 8-Year Anniversary Of War On Terror

Washington, D.C.—It was October 7, 2001 when the war in Afghanistan began.

Former President George W. Bush: “On my orders, the U.S. Government began strikes against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.“

But, eight years later, the Taliban has regained its strength, and violence against U.S. and NATO troops, and civilians, is at its peak.

It is now President Barack Obama’s job to decide the way forward. He meets with his National Security Council, Wednesday afternoon. Vice President Joe Biden is said to back a strategy that utilizes more drones and special forces.

Tuesday, the President conferred with a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders.

Sen. Harry Reid, Majority Leader: “It’s very clear that the President’s headed in the right direction: strategy before resources. That was the discussion time after time in that meeting.“

Republicans back General Petraeus’ and General McChrystal’s call for up to 40,000 more U.S. troops…and a shift in strategy from strictly killing insurgents to protecting the Afghan population.

Sen. John McCain: “It’s the President’s final decision, but I certainly think that their recommendations should be given great weight given the success of their leadership, in the past.“

Forty percent of the soldiers in Afghanistan are under NATO command. Wednesday morning, NATO’S general secretary says he basically supports General McChrystal’s analysis.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO General Secretary: “It is yet more pressure on the President…whose decision must prevent Afghanistan from becoming this generation’s Vietnam.“

Gen. Jack Keane (Ret.), ABC News consultant: “Getting an answer sooner is always better. The right answer is more important than the timing of it.“

T.J. Winick, reporting: Both the NATO leadership and the White House have said that a reduction of forces in Afghanistan…is definitely not on the agenda.“