President Barack Obama is putting more focus on tackling al Qaeda in Afghanistan rather than emphasizing attacks on the Taliban.

Obama met again Thursday with his national security advisers where, according to a senior White House official, he said he would only send enough troops to Afghanistan to keep al Qaeda at bay.

The president also said he is prepared to accept Taliban involvement in the country's political future.

CBN News Terrorism Analyst Erick Stakelbeck gave his insight on the difference between the threats of al Qaeda and the Taliban. Click play for his comments.

The New York Times reported that some of Obama's advisers argue that the Taliban poses no direct threat to the U.S.

"They're not the same type of group," said press secretary Robert Gibbs. "Al Qaeda is a global, transnational jihadist movement that has conducted attacks on the United States homeland."

"Some in the Taliban have similar agendas that have helped al Qaeda with safe havens," he added. "There's also a significant number of Taliban that are local war lords that have far different agendas."

A top White House aid also said the president is at least two weeks away from making a decision to send more troops to Afghanistan.