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. Obama will announce the strategy at West Point military academy, which includes increasing US troop levels and possibly detailing an exit plan. Republicans are pushing for decisive action, while Democrats have concerns, creating a difficult situation for a president trying to fulfill his promises. The outcome of this decision is crucial. Obama is faced with a decision to either grant 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 military chiefs are in favor of a troop increase of 30,000 or more, potentially reaching up to 35,000 with the addition of US trainers. The outcome of this decision is crucial for the US-led war in Afghanistan, where there are already 68,000 US soldiers among a multinational force of about 110,000 troops fighting against resurgent Taliban militants. This conflict, which is part of a broader campaign against al Qaeda, poses risks for neighboring countries like Pakistan and US allies like Britain, where support for the war is declining. Additionally, the decision could impact Obama's domestic agenda, including healthcare and climate change, as politicians and voters question the wisdom of a costly US campaign in a historically challenging region. Opinion polls indicate that Americans are split on the issue of Afghanistan, with many feeling worn out from the Iraq war and economic problems. A recent poll by the Washington Post-ABC News showed that 46 percent of Americans supported sending a large number of troops to Afghanistan, while 45 percent preferred a smaller deployment. Additionally, 48 percent of Americans disapproved of President Obama's handling of the situation in Afghanistan, compared to 45 percent who approved. Of concern to Democrats is the fact that approval among independents, a key voting bloc that helped Obama win in 2008, dropped to 39 percent. There are concerns in America about various issues such as high unemployment, government bailout programs, federal budget deficit, and healthcare reform, which is coinciding with doubts about the situation in Afghanistan. The upcoming elections in November 2010 could be affected by an anti-incumbent mood, potentially impacting Democrats' legislative majorities. Some liberal Democrats are against increasing U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who criticized Afghan President Hamid Karzai for corruption and questioned the need for more U.S. aid. Other prominent Democrats have advised Obama to clarify the U.S. "exit strategy" for Afghanistan. General McChrystal, during a briefing with a group of U.S. lawmakers recently, indicated that the number of U.S. troops could start to decrease after reaching a peak following the surge by 2013. Additionally, an international conference in London in January will focus on establishing conditions for a gradual transfer of security responsibility to Afghan authorities. Some experienced Democratic lawmakers have suggested implementing a "war tax" on the wealthiest Americans to fund the conflict, a move that is typically avoided during election years. Democrats are aiming to distance themselves from an unpopular war with an uncertain outcome by urging Obama to scale back U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. They also seek to demonstrate their fiscal responsibility by curbing the escalating war expenditures, which could reach $30 billion to $40 billion annually. What are the Republicans saying? Republicans see Obama's dilemma in Afghanistan as a chance to demonstrate their firm stance on national security and criticize what they view as indecisiveness on the part of the Democratic president. Former Vice President Dick Cheney expressed concern about the lengthy three-month review of options in Afghanistan, stating that the delay is not without consequences and could lead to doubts among allies and troops. Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate leader, advised Obama to continue pressuring the Taliban, and 14 House Republicans wrote a letter supporting General McChrystal's call for 40,000 additional troops. Republicans aim to demonstrate their commitment to protecting the United States and regain support from voters in swing districts who have become disenchanted with Obama. Democrats argue that Republicans are attempting to divert attention from the inability to defeat the Taliban after seven years of military efforts during George W. Bush's presidency, who deployed significantly more troops to the war in Iraq.