The Pentagon and U.S. national security officials are transmitting a battery of new information concerning the Afghanistan war to President-elect Barack Obama's transition team in hopes that the new administration will act quickly to prevent U.S. fortunes there from eroding further.
The effort underscores the urgency of addressing an increasingly dangerous situation in Afghanistan. Many military leaders say they believe a broad strategic shift is needed to reverse the growing violence and begin to turn back troubling advances by the Taliban and other extremists.
Obama's staff is being given detailed information on findings of separate strategy reviews by the Pentagon and the White House National Security Council. Those reviews cover proposals to beef up U.S. force levels, improve coordination among government agencies and overhaul U.S. foreign aid efforts, including to countries such as Pakistan.
"Right now there is a sense you need to apply a tourniquet of some kind," said a senior Defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity when discussing contacts with the transition team. "You need to control bleeding at the site of the wound, you need to stabilize, and you need to see what you need to do next."
After a record number of U.S. deaths this year, national security officials consider it crucial for the new administration to act soon after taking office. The senior Defense official said the new administration will have limited time to announce a new strategy for Afghanistan and build up troop strength.
"Over time, it will be harder to put more stuff in," said the senior Defense official. "You have a window where you can do dramatic things. But the opportunity to do dramatic things reduces over time."
During the campaign, Obama said he wanted to intensify the military's focus on Afghanistan, elevating the war to a primary Pentagon effort.
Obama was briefed in person last week by Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on details of war plans.
Among other issues, Mullen described the size of the units the Pentagon plans to send to Afghanistan and when they would be sent, Defense officials said.
There are 36,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Based on plans already made public, about 20,000 new troops will be headed to Afghanistan in 2009. They include an additional Army brigade announced by President George W. Bush in September and up to four more brigades under plans endorsed by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who will remain in his post under Obama.
