US to revise Afghan war options

The US Defense Department has confirmed the White House has rejected its Afghanistan War options and requested revisions. The changes may alter how many additional troops are sent there and their time in the war zone.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday the President had asked for revisions that combine the best elements of proposals on the Afghan war.

But as some observers understand it, Obama has not rejected the plans outright.

Karin Von Hippel, Analyst Center for Strategic & Int's Studies, said, "He wants to understand how they would be enforced. He wants to understand how we would make sure that the Afghan side is accountable on the government and the military side in Afghanistan. So I really think he wants more details about how to ensure these strategies can be implemented properly."

The development comes as President Obama's own ambassador in Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, voiced strong dissent about a US troop increase. He said bolstering the American presence there may make the country more reliant on the US, not less.

But the State Department spokesman has refused to comment on Eikenberry's concerns, or what they may mean for the administration's ultimate strategy.

Ian Kelly, Spokesman of US State Department, said, "This is a very important decision. It's a decision for the president to make. The role of the Secretary and Ambassador Eikenbery in this is to provide their point of view."

The options before the president include sending 30-thousand more US troops to Afghanistan.

Obama is expected to announce his decision on this after returning from his Asian tour that ends on Thursday.