Jones: No immediate threat to Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. National Security Adviser James Jones says Afghanistan is not under any immediate threat of falling or being taken over by the Taliban.

"I don't foresee the return of the Taliban. And I want to be very clear that Afghanistan is not in danger -- imminent danger -- of falling," the retired Marine Corps general told CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday.

Jones' appearance on CNN comes as U.S. President Barack Obama and his top officials review various U.S. military options in Afghanistan, including a troop surge requested by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in the country.

Jones was quoted as citing three reasons for the current review of the Afghan strategy, including questions about Afghan President Hamid Karzai's re-election win, McChrystal's assessment of Taliban strength and Pakistan's improved efforts in the border region.

The CNN report said some top Obama administration officials are advocating a counterterrorism approach through the use of unmanned drones and Special Forces without involving additional troops. However, a senior military official told CNN McChrystal would have included that possibility in his assessment if he thought it was viable.