President Obama spent Monday phoning foreign counterparts about his decision to send more troops. Britain and Australia have already pledged to support the expanded war. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday an additional 500 British troops will be sent to Afghanistan.

Gordon Brown: “So, Mr. Speaker, with the three conditions now met, I can confirm that we will move to a new force level of 9,500. The extra troops will deploy in early December to thicken the UK troop presence in central Helmand, and from late January they will make the transition to the partnering role we envisage for them.”

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd vowed that Australia will boost its efforts to train the Afghan police force.

Kevin Rudd: “Australia takes its alliance with the United States very seriously. That’s why we have been with America for a long time in Afghanistan and will be with America for the long haul.”