WASHINGTON — The Pentagon sought Wednesday to march in step with the Obama administration’s shifting war strategy as the White House considers using more counterterror strikes in Pakistan amid its doubts about sending more troops to Afghanistan.
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said the U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, would ask this week for additional American forces — a number that officials said could reach as high as 40,000 troops.
But Morrell said that request could be revised if the White House alters the military strategy it committed to six months ago.
Morrell added that McChrystal’s request will remain with Defense Secretary Robert Gates until the decision is made.
“There’s a lot that’s changed and a lot that needs to be analyzed,” Morrell told reporters.
In an interview with The New York Times, McChrystal denied that his assessment of resources needed in Afghanistan was causing a rift between the military and civilian leadership.
