WASHINGTON: The commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan is weighing advice that thousands of additional American forces are needed to prevail in the fight against insurgents.

A number of analysts who helped draft an assessment for the new commander, General Stanley McChrystal, are publicly advocating a major increase in US troop numbers in Afghanistan -- a politically-sensitive proposal that could meet resistance in the White House and Congress.

A prominent Washington military analyst who was part of the assessment effort, Anthony Cordesman, said it was crucial that more combat brigade teams -- which range from 3,000 to 5,000 troops -- be deployed as part of a shift in strategy.

Cordesman and other analysts on the team said the mission had been neglected for years and that the target for Afghan security forces also needed to dramatically increase from current goals of 134,000 for the army and about 82,000 for the police.

Cordesman was among a dozen analysts from across the political spectrum invited by McChrystal to offer their advice as he prepares his official review of strategy due in mid-August.

The analysts said they were not speaking on behalf of the assessment team but US media reported the team had agreed that more resources were needed for the war.

Their advice likely will carry weight with McChrystal, who is under pressure to deliver results and seize the initiative from the Taliban and its allies.

Thousands of US troops are already pouring into Afghanistan as part of a buildup ordered by President Barack Obama earlier this year, with the US force in Afghanistan soon to reach 68,000.

A request for more troops will present a political dilemma for the US president, as members of his own party are increasingly anxious about the Afghan mission and openly questioning the US commitment there. LINK