To: Interested parties From: John King, CNN chief national correspondent Re: Monday Memo



Should the U.S. expand its forces in Afghanistan? That will be the debate this week.



(CNN) -- What you'll see in Washington in this week is a White House focus on health care and jobs. What you won't see -- or see much of, at any rate -- is just as critical a challenge for the administration.



On Wednesday and then again on Friday, President Obama will meet with his national security team to continue deliberations about Afghanistan strategy, including whether to commit as many as 40,000 more U.S. troops to what not too long ago was "the forgotten war" but is now front and center.



"Ideally, it's better for military advice to come up through the chain of command," National Security Adviser James Jones told us Sunday when asked whether the very public request for more troops from the commanding general in Afghanistan had complicated the White House deliberations.



Significantly, Jones, a retired Marine Corps general, offered what sounded like a more optimistic asssement of the security challenges in Afghanistan than the commander asking for more troops, Gen. Stanley McChrystal.



"I don't foresee the return of the Taliban," Jones said.



As for al Qaeda and its strength within Afghanistan, Jones added: "Very diminished. The maximum estimate is less than 100 reported operating in the country. No bases. No buildings to launch attacks on either us or our allies."



His comments left little doubt Jones is not only less than thrilled about McChrystal's public appeals, he also is among those skeptical of sending more troops. Suffice to say those private strategy meetings warrant considerable attention.



Easier to see will be presidential and vice presidential events pushing health care reform and promoting the administration's stimulus plan as, contrary to what Republicans say, a cushion keeping a sluggish economy from taking an even bigger toll on American workers and families.



Obama will make a new health care push Monday from the White House, joined by doctors from around the country. Vice President Joe Biden continues his role as stimulus cheerleader, from Connecticut on Monday.  Also of note:



• The first new Supreme Court term of the Obama presidency kicks off, and Sonia Sotomayor gets down to official business as the nation's first Hispanic high court justice.



• The Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday discusses potential new sanctions against Iran, proof of congressional skepticism even though Iran over the weekend agreed to let international inspectors visit its recently disclosed uranium enrichment plant.



• Wednesday is the eighth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Afghanistan.



• Wednesday also brings the Federal Reserve's latest report on consumer credit.



Enjoy the week.
When will the president make a new health care push? Who will make a new healthcare push Monday? Military officers have varying assessments on whether more what is needed? Who will meet with national security team? When is Obama meeting with national security? What is new in Washington? What do military officers have varying assessments about?
Monday Obama U.S. troops President Obama On Wednesday and then again on Friday, health care push the security challenges in Afghanistan
question: When will the president make a new health care push?, answer: Monday | question: Who will make a new healthcare push Monday?, answer: Obama | question: Military officers have varying assessments on whether more what is needed?, answer: U.S. troops | question: Who will meet with national security team?, answer: President Obama | question: When is Obama meeting with national security?, answer: On Wednesday and then again on Friday, | question: What is new in Washington?, answer: health care push | question: What do military officers have varying assessments about?, answer: the security challenges in Afghanistan