Report: Bush urged to move focus to Afghanistan

Dec 17, 2007, 5:47 GMT

Washington - Advisors are urging President George W Bush to shift the US military focus to Afghanistan as the Taliban insurgency grows and as a troop surge in Iraq has improved security there, the Washington Post reported Monday.

Though Bush is unlikely to take any steps that could damage the improvements in Iraq, some Defence Department officials would like to reduce the troop presence there by more than the five combat brigades expected to be withdrawn by the summer, the newspaper said quoting senior government officials.

The administration could begin discussing troop levels in the two wars by next month and will consider options including naming an international figure to coordinate efforts in Afghanistan, reworking the military leadership structure there and scheduling more regular teleconferences between Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

US and NATO officials are conducting three reviews of the mission in Afghanistan to address counter-insurgency efforts, moves to halt the drug trade and attempts to solidify the government's control, the New York Times reported over the weekend.