US President Barack Obama faces political risks with his decision on a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan, as his Democratic Party prepares for challenging midterm congressional elections next year. Obama will announce the strategy at the West Point military academy, which will include increasing US troop levels in Afghanistan and potentially outlining an exit plan. Republicans are pushing for decisive action, while many Democrats are skeptical, creating a difficult situation for Obama as he tries to fulfill his political commitments. Obama is faced with a decision on whether to fulfill General McChrystal's request for 40,000 more troops in Afghanistan or to listen to advisers who suggest a smaller deployment of 10,000 to 20,000 troops with a greater role for Afghan forces. Influential figures in Obama's Cabinet and within the military support a troop increase of 30,000 or more, potentially reaching 35,000 with the inclusion of US trainers. This decision is crucial for the future of the US-led war in Afghanistan, where 68,000 US soldiers are currently part of a multinational force fighting against Taliban militants. The conflict is part of a larger effort against al Qaeda and poses risks for neighboring countries like Pakistan and for US allies like Britain. Additionally, the costly campaign in Afghanistan could impact Obama's domestic agenda and public opinion in the US. Opinion polls reveal that Americans are split on the issue of Afghanistan, with many feeling worn out from the Iraq war and facing economic struggles. A recent poll by the Washington Post-ABC News showed that 46 percent of Americans support a significant increase in troops for combat and training, while 45 percent prefer sending a smaller number of troops. The poll also indicated that 48 percent disapproved of how Obama was handling the situation in Afghanistan, compared to 45 percent who approved. Of particular concern for Democrats was the declining approval among independents, with only 39 percent showing approval - a group that had helped elect Obama in 2008. Concerns in the United States regarding high unemployment, government bailouts, the federal budget deficit, and healthcare reform are coinciding with uncertainty about Afghanistan. The upcoming elections in November 2010 could be affected by this anti-incumbent sentiment, potentially impacting the Democrats' legislative majorities. Some liberal Democrats are against further involvement in Afghanistan, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticizing President Karzai and questioning the need for increased U.S. aid. Other prominent Democrats have advised President Obama to clarify the U.S. "exit strategy" for Afghanistan. General McChrystal recently indicated to a group of U.S. lawmakers that the number of American troops in Afghanistan could start to decrease after reaching a peak in 2013, and an upcoming international conference in London aims to establish conditions for gradually transferring security responsibilities to Afghan authorities. Some experienced Democratic lawmakers have even suggested implementing a "war tax" on wealthy Americans to fund the conflict, a move that is typically not considered during an election year. Democrats are hoping to distance themselves from an unpopular war with no clear path to success by urging Obama to scale back military involvement in Afghanistan. They also want to demonstrate their commitment to fiscal responsibility by curbing the escalating costs of the war, which could reach up to $40 billion annually. What do Republicans think? Republicans see Obama's dilemma in Afghanistan as a chance to emphasize their strong stance on national security and criticize the perceived indecisiveness of the Democratic president. Former Vice President Dick Cheney expressed concern that Obama's three-month review of Afghanistan options was taking too long, causing doubts among allies in the region and the troops. The Republican Senate leader, Mitch McConnell, encouraged Obama to continue pressuring the Taliban, as 14 House Republicans wrote a letter to endorse General McChrystal's request for 40,000 additional troops. Republicans aim to present themselves as vigilant in protecting the United States and regain support from disillusioned voters in swing districts. Democrats argue that Republicans are attempting to divert attention from the lack of success in defeating the Taliban during George W. Bush's presidency, despite his deployment of larger forces in Iraq.