General Petraeus Testifies at Nomination Hearing for Afghan Command
Washington, D.C. 29 June 2010
The U.S. general nominated to lead U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan is warning of a tough fight ahead as troops battle a growing Taliban insurgency.
General David Petraeus acknowledged challenges in the Afghan war effort during his confirmation hearing Tuesday in the Senate Armed Services Committee. He noted while there have been signs of progress, troops face an "industrial strength insurgency" while having to train Afghan forces and build up local governance.
Petraeus is expected to be confirmed as U.S commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan with little opposition. He replaces General Stanley McChrystal, who resigned last week after he and his aides made disparaging remarks about Obama administration officials.
During Tuesday's hearing, Senator Carl Levin questioned the capability of Afghan security forces to take over security for their country. He noted a U.S. government audit released Monday that said the ability of Afghan troops to operate independently had been overstated.
Levin called on Petraeus to ensure that Afghan forces take the lead during military efforts to secure the southern Afghan province of Kandahar.
U.S. lawmakers also brought up President Barack Obama's timeline to begin withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan in July of 2011. Petraeus said he supports President's Obama's strategy in Afghanistan and that the deadline marks the beginning of a process. He acknowledged it will take a number of years before Afghan forces can completely take control of security and that the U.S. commitment to Afghanistan will remain.
Petraeus, who has been head of U.S. Central Command, is widely credited for helping turn the war in Iraq around by implementing a counter-insurgency strategy that helped lay the framework for the current effort in Afghanistan.
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