1. a) Who is Gen. Stanley McChrystal?
b) What is NATO?

2. What did Gen. McChrystal say about the need for more troops in Afghanistan in a confidential report sent to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates last month?

3. What other changes did Gen. McChrystal say need to be made in Afghanistan?

4. When will President Obama make a decision on whether to authorize the deployment of more soldiers to Afghanistan?

5. How do Democratic and Republican lawmakers differ on their view of the need for more troops in Afghanistan? (see para. 11, 21-24)

6. General Petraeus, former commanding General in Iraq and current head of CENTCOM (the top military command in the Middle East) succeeded in Iraq with his surge strategy. If Gen. Petraeus supports Gen. McChrystal's assessment that more troops are absolutely necessary for success in Afghanistan, do you think the President should take his advice? Why or why not?