The Daily Telegraph has learned that there is growing frustration in Whitehall at the US president’s prolonged deliberations over Afghanistan.
Since early September, Mr Obama has been considering a review of Afghan strategy by General Stanley McChrystal, who has advised the president to send an extra 40,000 US troops to Afghanistan.
Afghan Police is an easy target for the Taliban As well as troop numbers, Mr Obama and his advisers are also considering the fundamental Western strategy in Afghanistan, trying to decide how much emphasis to put on counter-insurgency operations against the Taliban and how much to put on hunting down al-Qaeda terrorists.
The president’s long decision-making process has led to accusations of “dithering” by his Republican opponents. The White House says the decision is too important to hurry, but the wait is causing growing exasperation in London and other European capitals.
One British source said that the absence of a clear strategy from the US, the largest troop contributor in Afghanistan, is hampering the British Government’s attempts to maintain public support for an increasingly unpopular conflict.
“The truth is that until we have some clarity from Obama, it’s going to be hard for us to explain to people what we’re doing there,” the source said.
Britain is urging Hamid Karzai to send more Afghan forces to Helmand province to support British troops there.
Mr Karzai was returned for second term this week after an election widely agreed to have been flawed and corrupt.
“We need the Americans to have a clear message for Karzai about what he has to do, but that’s just not there at the moment,” said the British source.
The private frustrations of British ministers and commanders were echoed by General Lord Guthrie, a former Chief of the Defence Staff, who said the American deliberations had brought the Afghan mission to a pivotal moment.
“It’s a tipping point because of President Obama’s delayed decision on whether to send more troops,” Lord Guthrie said.
Speaking in Paris, Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister, also suggested that the lack of leadership from Washington was hampering the Afghan mission.
“What is the goal? What is the road? And in the name of what?” Mr Kouchner was reported as saying. “Where are the Americans? It begins to be a problem.”
Downing Street said the Prime Minister supported Mr Obama’s deliberations, and said it was “important that he comes to a considered decision” but hinted that a quick decision would be welcome.
A spokesman for Gordon Brown said: “Obviously, we are waiting for the US announce the outcome. Let’s hope we can come together soon.”
