US President Expected to Announce Afghanistan Policy Tuesday

U.S. news organizations say President Barack Obama plans to announce his new strategy for Afghanistan on Tuesday evening, during a prime-time television address.

The reports say the president is most likely to back a plan to send between 30,000 and 35,000 additional U.S. troops to the country.

The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan earlier this year told the president that up to 40,000 troops are needed to combat Taliban and al-Qaida militants in the region.

Since then, President Obama has been meeting with advisors and considering future U.S. strategy in the region. On Tuesday, Mr. Obama said he intends to "finish the job" in Afghanistan.

During a news conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmahon Singh, Mr. Obama said he would announce his decision on U.S. war strategy sometime after the U.S. holiday Thanksgiving on Thursday.

General Stanley McChrystal and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates are expected to testify before congressional committees in the days after Mr. Obama's announcement.

Public opinion polls in the United States show falling support for the eight-year war, but Mr. Obama said that once people understand his plan, they will be supportive.

This year has been the deadliest for foreign forces in Afghanistan since the conflict began eight years ago. There are currently 68,000 U.S. troops in the country.