The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan intends to call for major changes in military strategy there, including a request for more U.S. troops beyond the planned increase, the Washington Post's website reported on Friday.

Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who recently took charge of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, is going to report to the White House about his plan, which aims to use more unconventional methods to combat the growing Taliban insurgency, according to the report.

But it's not clear how large an additional increase of U.S. troops McChrystal would seek.

Such a request could pose a political challenge for the Obama administration, analysts said.

Some leading congressional Democrats have already voiced skepticism about sustaining the current force levels, which are set to reach 68,000 by the fall under President Barack Obama's plan to send 21,500 more troops there.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2009)