President Barack Obama is considering sending large numbers of additional U.S. forces to Afghanistan next year - but not as many as his war commander wants.

Some are calling the option for a narrowed military mission "McChrystal Lite" after the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal. The option would preserve the general's goals of protecting Afghan cities and key infrastructure but use fewer troops to do it.

McChrystal wants about 40,000 additional troops, atop a U.S. force of 68,000, officials have told The Associated Press.

Two officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because Obama has not announced his decision, said the troop numbers would probably be lower than McChrystal's preference, at least at the outset.