By Ashley Peard

Even though the war overseas is common knowledge, many Wesley College students said they were unaware of the recent increase of troops in Afghanistan.

In November, President Barack Obama ordered an additional 30,000 troops to be sent to Afghanistan.

According to CBC news, he also pledged to begin withdrawing American forces, beginning in July 2011.

“Our main rationale for beefing up in Afghanistan…is American security,” said Dr. Anthony Armstrong, professor of Political Science. “Trying to stabilize Afghanistan was a goal far beyond our means.”

Most students said they disagreed with Obama’s decision and that more troops should be brought home than sent overseas.

“It’s just the same methodology that Bush incorporated in his foreign policy,” said Ryan Hayes, a senior. “I’m very surprised that Obama has not yet acknowledged the choice to pull out troops, which is a primary reason why he was elected in the first place.”

Senior Christina White feels that the money spent on the war could be on other things.

“It seems like it’s a waste to just keep sending people over there,” White said. “I don’t see what we’re doing, I don’t see progress.”

Matthew Gallagher, a senior, agrees with Obama’s decision.

“The Afghan government can’t maintain its self,” he said. “The country is relying on drugs, and the drug lords are the ones ruling the country.”

Susanna Ashdown, a Wesley alumni and employee at Java City, has mixed views.

Ashdown’s husband is in the Air Force, and fears him being sent there.

“I don’t think we should send more troops,” Ashdown said. “But if we don’t, they could attack us again.”

Armstrong said that America is being seen more as “invaders rather than the rescuers.”

The United States government says that they want to see Afghanistan become democratic, economically stable, and make sure groups such as Al Qaeda are not housing there.

“The problem is that Al Qaeda operates in many countries, and they have training bases in a number of them,” Armstrong said.