Afghan police guards. (Creative Commons)

The two-year, $20 billion spending figure reveals how tough of a job it has been to slow the Taliban and train local police forces. Much of the spending has gone toward outfitting Afghanistan security forces with proper equipment from trucks to guns.

The Washington Post reports that Afghan security forces now total 270,000 people, up 70,000 from the beginning of 2010. But they are several hundred trainers short of what's needed to stay on-track for an allied exit of Afghanistan between July 2011 and the end of 2013.

About 1,000 new troops will embark for Afghanistan soon, bringing the total number to 98,000.

Most Americans have a weak confidence in the war, with just 19 percent of likely U.S. voters predicting a positive course in Afghanistan during the next six months. Instead, most expect a grim future. The Rasmussen poll released Thursday also found Americans don't believe President Barack Obama has a clear plan for the war.

While war spending is going up, Defense Secretary Robert Gates pledged Thursday to cut $100 billion from non-war defense spending over the next five years. His plans could be met by resistance from both sides of the Republican-controlled House with some calling for lesser cuts and others much deeper ones.

Reach executive producer Paresh Dave here. Follow him on Twitter: @peard33.