WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. veterans criticized President Barack Obama’s lengthy review of Afghan war strategy, saying on Thursday the drawn-out debate in Washington was a direct threat to troops and the nation’s defense. The head of Veterans of Foreign Wars, a group representing 1.5 million former soldiers, issued a tersely worded statement urging Obama to follow the advice of his military commanders, who want more troops for the eight-year war. ”The extremists are sensing weakness and indecision within the U.S. government, which plays into their hands,” said Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., a Vietnam veteran and head of VFW. That was “evidenced by the increased attacks in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan,” he said. ”I fear that an emboldened enemy will now intensify their efforts to kill more U.S. soldiers,” Tradewell added. Obama addressed the group in August when he called the conflict in Afghanistan “a war of necessity” and said the United States remained committed to stabilizing the country. Continua…