Joseph Dunford, New Afghan War Chief, Not Included In Troop Withdrawal Discussions

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/15/joseph-dunford-afghan-war-troops_n_2138741.html




Joseph Dunford, New Afghan War Chief, Not Included In Troop Withdrawal Discussions
David Wood
Posted: 11/15/2012 3:19 pm EST Updated: 11/16/2012 1:57 am EST

WASHINGTON -- The Marine general selected to command United States and allied forces in Afghanistan acknowledged Thursday that he has been left out of the planning for troop reductions and does not know what combat commanders consider a necessary number of troops to bring the war to a successful conclusion.

The admission by Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford during his nomination hearing, appeared to flabbergast Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee and a vitriolic critic of the Obama administration's intention to gradually reduce the 68,000 U.S. troops now serving in Afghanistan.

Dunford also said U.S. military forces will be needed in Afghanistan after 2014. He specifically included fighter jets and attack helicopters, intelligence drones and special forces counterterrorism squads as well as advisers and trainers. But he did not name a specific number of troops he believes would be required.

Obama has vowed to bring home all combat troops by the end of 2014. The White House this week is weighing recommendations from Gen. John Allen, currently the top commander in Afghanistan, on whether and how quickly troop levels can be reduced before then. The level of U.S. commitment after 2014 will in part be determined by a U.S.-Afghan bilateral security agreement, which officials began negotiating this week.