Insufficient

It was a no-brainer that the military would ask for more troops for Afghanistan. The military always wants more troops. What is interesting is the way the 'request' has been presented, before the much awaited major war strategy review, and leaked out to the press. Until you've decided on your strategy, how can you determine how many troops are needed?

Whoever talked to the NYT's faithful stenographer Helene Cooper must think the strategy has already been decided. She says she is reporting what military commanders told Holbrooke who, one would hope, is going to be involved in setting the policy based upon the review. Or is this review stuff just hokum?

In any case, unless there is a significant rethinking in the Obama administration (that would be a first) it looks like a major escalation will be announced soon.