It seems that a deep animosity is mounting between the US ambassador to Afghanistan and the top-notch officials back home. Mr. Karl Eikenberry has intervened the debate about troop reinforcements out of the blue, admonishing President Obama against devoting tens of thousands of extra troops to the country. Well, Mr. Eikenberry is not naïve of the war machine as he is a retired army general and was in the charge of commanding US forces in Afghanistan from 2005-2007. He detailed his concerns in two classified cables last week.

What have been the reactions of the US government then? Well, in the meantime, the US President has asked him about his views by video-link during a meeting of his White House war cabinet, for the reason that he carries on his lengthy deliberations on the question of troop numbers for Afghanistan.

What is the subject matter of his concerns? Mr. Eikenberry\'s concerns are focused on the behavior of Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president recently re-elected for a five-year term in a poll that was tainted by allegations of systematic fraud. It has been learnt that he has questioned Mr. Karzai\'s suitability as a long-term strategic partner and the foremost reason is the widespread corruption in his first administration and the presence of warlords and drugs smugglers in positions of influence.

Now, let’s come to the reactions. The concerned departments, it is learnt, have taken strongest exceptions to the remarks of the US ambassador and most infuriated has been General Stanley McChrystal, the Nato and US commander in Afghanistan, who had asked for an extra 40,000 troops to avert a looming military defeat.

Well, Stanley McChrystal is not alone, he is supported by the Secretary-General of Nato, Anders Fogh Rasmussen also, who contended today that Nato endorsed the need for more troops despite Mr. Eikenberry\'s reservations.

Speaking after a meeting in Downing Street with Gordon Brown, Mr. Rasmussen was asked what advice he would give Mr. Obama. He replied: "We are right now in an intense phase of consultation among allies and I expect a decision on troop numbers to be taken within a very few weeks so I think it is a bit premature to make any final judgment on troop numbers. Basically I share General McChrystal’s view, his assessment, his recommendation of a broad counter-insurgency strategy.”

He added: "I have not made a final decision on the exact troop numbers but for sure we need to strengthen training and education of Afghan soldiers and Afghan police so we will definitely need more trainers, more education facilities, equipment and money to sustain an increased number of Afghan security forces."

It seems US government is not ready to downplay the concept of troop reinforcements, may proceed accordingly. Will Karl Eikenberry be axed then?