Afghan command nominee vague on troop withdrawal timetable

The general chosen to lead US forces in Afghanistan through the critical transition to Afghan security control in 2014 declined to speculate on Thursday on how quickly American troops would be withdrawn from the country. Pressed by lawmakers at his confirmation hearing on whether he would support keeping troop levels at about 68,000 for the next two years to reassure Afghans and US allies, Marine General Joseph Dunford said he wanted to assess the military capabilities that would be needed through 2014 before making that judgement.
Dunford, who earned the nickname "Fighting Joe" during the 2003 Iraq invasion and currently serves as assistant commandant of the Marines, acknowledged under questioning by Senator John McCain that he had not been included in ongoing discussions about troop levels in Afghanistan. "That's interesting to me," McCain replied. "The guy that's going to take over the command has not even been included in those conversations. Do you feel prepared to assume these responsibilities?"