(Thumbnail image: CBS News)

After almost one year into his presidency, Barack Obama made his imprint on the war in Afghanistan by ordering 30,000 more troops to the country.

Increasing U.S. troop levels to 100,000 has created debate in the media, and changes the way some view Obama’s presidency.  

We’re looking at perspectives from FOX News, The New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, and NBC.

First, FOX News hosted the founder of CODEPINK, a women’s peace organization.

“Well we think it’s a catastrophic decision.  We think it’s just the opposite of what’s needed. We need economic development, and we need diplomacy, and Barack Obama is making a very bad decision that will put us into a quagmire that will last for many many years to come.”

New York Times writer Bob Herbert agrees, saying Obama made a “tragic mistake” and took the easy way out.

"It would have taken real courage for the commander in chief to stop feeding our young troops into the relentless meat grinder of Afghanistan.”

CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux explains why Obama will be under harsher scrutiny than President Bush.

“The enemy, essentially, is a lot less clear.  The other thing is that the September 11th attacks, a distant memory for a lot of folks here.  It was very fresh before.  President Bush used to talk about it in his speeches.  People are less concerned about terrorism, and finally, I have to say this Heidi, this president and his administration, very reticent about using any kind of tone or language that is similar to President Bush, because they feel that it was fear mongering.”

MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough said sending more troops still won’t be enough to satisfy the needs overseas.

“It seems to me the president is going to make nobody happy because the generals are probably going to quietly complain that they don’t get everything that they need to win this war.”

NBC's David Gregory says Obama’s decision brings him much closer to an issue he once distanced himself from.

“What is clear is that the president now owns a problem he once said he inherited. Advisors admit that the president’s challenge tonight is to persuade the country that America’s fight in Afghanistan can neither be abandoned, nor can it go on forever."

So is this an attempt to finish the war in Afghanistan? Or will sending more troops just prolong a withdrawal of American forces?

Writer: Lauren Styler

Producer: Nathan Giannini