Is the U.S. sending more troops to Afghanistan?

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appeared before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee today ostensibly to talk about the fiscal year 2009 budget. But the discussion quickly expanded to the U.S. strategy toward Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran. (My colleague Jonathan Landay has blogged below about what the secretary had to say about Iran.)

The secretary stressed that the U.S. hopes to further withdraw troops from Iraq after the five surge brigades leave at the end of July. The secretary told Republican Sen. Ted Stevens that he would “expect that further reductions in the presence in Iraq during the course of 2009 and perhaps later this year.”

As I thought about it, Gates’ testimony, coupled with a statement he made last month, suggests to me that the U.S. is at least considering moving some of those troops to Afghanistan.

Last month in Bucharest, Gates said that he thinks the U.S. will send significantly more troops to Afghanistan next year. Earlier this month, his press secretary, Geoff Morrell, explained why the U.S. can’t do it now, tying the problem to Iraq. "We really have to get down in Iraq below 15 brigade combat teams for us to consider adding multiple additional brigades to Afghanistan,” Morrell explained. “So, not until we get to that point can we even consider that prospect."

So if Gates is right and the U.S. draws down troops in Iraq, will it then increase its presence in Afghanistan? Today’s testimony suggests that it is at least something to look for in the coming months.