SCENARIOS - Obama's options in Afghan war

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama is in the midst of a lengthy review of U.S. strategy for Afghanistan that has been complicated by an election there that is far from over.

Facing charges by critics of dithering, Obama is said to be some weeks away from a final decision on whether to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.

He and fellow Democrats may believe it is wise to wait until the election is decided, after Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's decision to accept a run-off election on Nov. 7. Republicans believe he should make up his mind.

On one side of the debate are proposals to send at least 40,000 additional troops and trainers as part of a beefed-up counterinsurgency strategy advocated by the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal.

On the other side are plans to hold troop levels steady in Afghanistan and concentrate on attacking al Qaeda targets along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and in Pakistan with the greater use of drones and special forces, a proposal backed by Vice President Joe Biden.

Washington has 65,000 troops in Afghanistan and that figure is expected to reach 68,000 later this year. Other nations, mainly NATO allies, have some 39,000 troops in the country.

Following are some possible courses of action Obama could choose to adopt:

BIG TROOP INCREASE