President Obama just ordered another 4,000 troops to Afghanistan. This is in addition to the 17,000 troops he recently sent over. In addition to these troops, he has sent hundreds of civilian specialists as well. And he plans to ask Congress to pass a bill that triples U.S. aid to Pakistan.

The troops are being sent over to help with training and building the Afghan army and police force. This is part of a new plan to focus on the growing threat in Afghanistan and now Pakistan. In a briefing, one official made this statement: “Al Qaeda’s central leadership has been moved from Kandahar, Afghanistan, to a location unknown somewhere in Pakistan. And in that location they’re plotting against the United States. They are working with their friends and partners, the Taliban, against American interests.”

I understand and support Obama’s decision to send more troops over because of the threat to the United States that is clearly becoming more evident. However, I have to ask, when will this end? When do we decide that the cost is too high? We are spending so much money on equipment and supplies, and not enough on our country which is in debt.

Josh – a high school senior