Does Afghan War Have Strong Public Support?

by Mary Louise Kelly, NPR

President Obama is weighing whether to send more troops to Afghanistan — even as polls show support for the war declining. In what's known as the Powell Doctrine, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who also is a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, argued that military force should be used only if there was a clear exit strategy. He said the force used should be overwhelming and the operation must have strong public support.

Broadcast Dates

• Morning Edition, October 2, 2009