The top American commander in
Afghanistan told Congress on Tuesday that most of the problems
facing the Afghan security forces stem from poor leadership, the
Associated Press reported.
Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, Army
Gen. John F. Campbell said the Afghan National Army has
replaced 92 general officers, including a high-level commander
in volatile Helmand province.
The Afghan interior ministry is still "lagging behind" in
making leadership changes, he said. U.S. forces are "taking
steps to remedy this through our train, advise and assist
mission," Campbell said. He cautioned that the institutional
changes that are required will take time.
Campbell's testimony comes as lawmakers are growing
skeptical amid concerns that worsening security conditions
demand a greater number of U.S. forces to ensure the gains made
in the war-torn country since 2001 aren't lost. But there is
also ample frustration that, after 14 years, the finish line in
Afghanistan still is not visible.
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