It's time to rethink Afghanistan.

The struggle to defeat al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan — President Obama's "war of necessity" against those who attacked us on Sept. 11, 2001 — is at a crucial political crossroad.

By all reliable accounts, conditions in the country are changing, and not for the better. The already weak government of Hamid Karzai was further tainted by fraud in the Aug. 20 elections. The insurgency is growing in strength despite increases in the number of coalition forces. And allied casualties are rising: 51 U.S. troops died in August, the deadliest month so far in the eight-year struggle. Public support, in Congress and on the street, shows signs of waning. It's looking like a quagmire.

It's in this light that Obama and his top advisers are, wisely, re-evaluating how to proceed.

Certainly, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal's widely publicized recommendation — a classic counterinsurgency effort that combines an immediate troop surge with a campaign for the hearts and minds of the Afghan people — should be an option on the table. Some conservatives and war hawks have demanded that Obama immediately sign off on this report and give McChrystal what it calls for.

But it shouldn't be the only option.

McChrystal's strategy goes beyond sending in more troops to attack the Taliban and al-Qaida; it requires a long-term effort to rebuild the country's security forces and bring some level of economic and political stability to the region.

That's not a decision just for generals. Obama, acting in the best interest of the American people, must decide if this commitment still makes sense.

Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan has cost about $189 billion so far, according to the Congressional Research Service.

There are roughly 68,000 U.S. troops approved for Afghanistan and more than 100,000 NATO troops overall. More than 1,800 have died. Hawai'i-based troops have also made a heavy investment in Afghanistan: more than 40 lives lost and about 1,500 are now serving there.

The White House must take the time it needs to ensure that our mission in Afghanistan can succeed, and has the broad support of the American people. The troops who have already sacrificed deserve no less.