Obama is risking the war in Afghanistan with his delay

Obama came into office with a policy of leaving Iraq, in order to fight 'the good war' in Afghanistan. Earlier this year he agreed to a 'surge' strategy. However, he has now been sitting on a decision on the number of troops he will commit for a dangerously long time. Why? Because as he dithers over the decision Americas allies are falling away. Without America's leadership more and more countries are finding it difficult to keep public support for the war - and more and more difficult to support the Afghan campaign in the face of that lack of support. In Britain a spate of casualties and a sense of lethargy from government (caused, mostly, from Washington) has seen support for the campaign fall, and the numbers calling for an immediate withdrawal rising precipitously. While the three main parties are still committed to the campaign, the Liberal Democrats have already backed away from wholehearted support - there is a chance they will move to a withdrawal position before the General Election.

Gordon Brown, whatever his faults (and heaven knows there are no shortage of those) has been a strong supporter of the campaign. But even he may be unable to fight public opinion without more obvious and loud support from Washington. If Obama wants to continue the Afghan campaign and continue to have wide support from America's allies in that campaign then for the love of mercy, Mr President, make a decision!