Civilian Surge Up for Debate at the White House

President Obama convenes the national security team for another debate on Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy, and I notice an addition to the guest list is Deputy Secretary of State Jack Lew. Lew is the deputy in charge of management and personnel for Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, so perhaps part of today’s session will include an assessment of what exactly is preventing the U.S. — now with 575 of the promised 900 extra civilians of the “uplift” in place! — from meeting its goals for civilian governance in Afghanistan and whether a counterinsurgency strategy can succeed without them.

(On the other hand, maybe Lew is just stopping by on his way to the Willard.)