got geoint?

In an effort to reverse Taliban gains over the past six months, President Obama has decided to expedite the deployment of 30,000 additional troops in Afghanistan. The effort also aims to spur the Afghanistan government in Kabul to match the effort. By the end of May 2010, the plan is to have a total of 100,000 American troops on the ground, and the administration is moving faster than expected when it comes to this enhanced deployment. Mr. Obama concluded — at the end of a nearly three-month review of American war strategy — that the situation required “more, sooner.”

Many are saying that this troop surge will cause Obama to have complete ownership of this war effort. And, tonight President Obama will address the American public with a nationally televised speech that will discuss his administration’s attempt at solving the nation’s strategic dilemma over Afghanistan.

The big question for the GEOINT community is: how will this impact us? Certainly more troops on the ground would mean an expanded need for GEOINT solutions to help the war fighter deal with the Taliban. And, since we are dealing with a very decentralized enemy, key intelligence solutions will be more vital than ever. And, if President Obama wants to be seen as the leader who reined in the Taliban effort, he will certainly need the most cutting-edge solutions in dealing with this enemy. What do you all think about this? Will this mean GEOINT solutions will continue to grow?

Tags: Afghanistan, CIA, DIA, GEOINT, geospatial intelligence, Intelligence Community, President Obama, Taliban, Troops Surge, United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, USGIF, war in Afghanistan