As the threat from Taliban and al-Qaeda insurgents increases in Afghanistan, the United States wants to double the size of the Afghan security forces — the army and the police. The plan is awaiting President Obama’s approval and would set a goal of about 400,000 soldiers and police.
The New York Times reported that “even members of Mr. Obama’s national security team appeared taken aback by the cost projections of the program, which range from $10 billion to $20 billion over the next six or seven years.”
Thom Shanker, the Pentagon correspondent at The New York Times and one of the authors of the story, joins Martin Savidge to discuss why the administration is considering the expanision, the high price tag and how the plan would impact Afghanistan’s central government.
