Afghan review a 'process,' Washington says

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Assessing the recommendations on Afghanistan from top military generals regarding the U.S. strategy and troop commitments is a "process," officials say.

U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top military commander in Afghanistan, delivered a dour assessment on the progress of the U.S. war effort in Afghanistan, describing the situation as "not satisfactory."

For his part, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meanwhile, told lawmakers Tuesday that he would "probably" need more troops to "jump-start" plans to expand the capability of the Afghan military.

His recommendations come amid a growing level of frustration with the war in Afghanistan from the American public and U.S. lawmakers.

Ian Kelly, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said any considerations regarding the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan would require a broad-based review.

"I think that this is a process of review that is going to have to be done across the U.S. government," he said.

Lawmakers, for their part, are wrangling over the issue. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., argued against increasing the level of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, while Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said not sending more troops would be "a guarantee of failure."

Kelly, however, said any determination of the way forward in Afghanistan would take place through careful consideration.

"In terms of the way forward," he said, "this is going to be a process that will be led by the White House."