MORE U.S. TROOPS FOR AFGHANISTAN

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Slideshow: Afghanistan Play Video Barack Obama Video: Obama names Holdren, Lubchenco to science posts AP Play Video Barack Obama Video: Obama urges carmakers to 'reform' BBC KABUL, Afghanistan – The top U.S. military officer says that up to 30,000 new American troops could be sent to Afghanistan next year.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said on a visit to Kabul that between 20,000 and 30,000 additional U.S. troops could be sent to Afghanistan by summer.

U.S. commanders have long requested an additional 20,000 troops to bolster the 31,000 U.S. forces already in the country. But the high end of Mullen's range — 30,000 additional forces — is the largest number any top U.S. military official has said publicly.

Mullen says that after those troops are added, only improvements in Afghanistan's governance and economic situation will affect the strength of the insurgency.