Thursday, January 28, 2016

Next Top American Commander In Afghanistan: 'Security Situation Is Deteriorating'

This April 17, 2014, photo, provided by the U.S. Army, shows then-Maj. Gen. John W. Nicholson, Jr. speaking to his senior leaders at Fort Bragg, N.C. Officials say the Obama administration has chosen Nicholson, a seasoned veteran

The Hill: Nominee for Afghan commander pledges to reassess troop levels

The general tapped to take over the command of troops in Afghanistan promised Thursday to make a recommendation on troop levels after his first 90 days in the role.

“I think after the initial 90 days, I'll have a good sense of where we are building on the experience we have, and of course, if confirmed, sir, the chance to do some more thorough discussions with Gen. [John] Campbell and with the team on the ground,” Lt. Gen. John "Mick" Nicholson told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing on Thursday.

President Obama on Wednesday nominated Nicholson to take over as the commander of U.S. and allied troops when Campbell’s tour of duty ends.

Read more ....

Update #1: Army Official: Security in Afghanistan Is Worsening (AP).
Update #2: Nicholson Nominated as Next Afghan War Head (Defense News).

WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction .... he will be confirmed, and he will recommend more U.S. soldiers to be deployed to Afghanistan. But the White House is going to balk, and will tell him to maintain the situation as best as he can with the resources that he has.

Update #3: Obama Nominee Considers Long-Term U.S. Presence in Afghanistan (US News and World Report).

1 comment:

Don Bacon said...

Afghanistan is a small, landlocked country, full of illiterate people, on the other side of the earth. It means nothing to US security, but it would make the politicians and generals look bad if the Taliban gained control of their country after so much effort has been out into it, so much blood has been shed and so much money spent. . .So they will continue to do stupid things.