The Hill News

The testimony General David Petraeus gave to Congress this week can be summarized as follows: we have just gotten all of the needed assets and capabilities in place, we are making significant progress, that the progress is fragile and reversible, and that we must not let up in our efforts because success there is essential to American national security.

 The General also answered many questions, including whether U.S. combat as well as non-combat forces will leave Afghanistan during withdrawals scheduled to begin in July 2011; about corruption in the country, and about the measurable signs of progress. He responded to my inquiry about the wisdom of setting a specific date to begin troop withdrawals, a decision I worry is arbitrary and based on political calculations rather than national security ones. 

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