Petraeus urges longer view on Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, March 15 (UPI) -- U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus Tuesday called on Congress to take a longer view on the Afghanistan war, saying progress there is fragile and reversible.

"We need to take a substantially long view to ensure progress is sustained," Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

By that, he said he meant the focus should not just be on the year ahead but on doing what needs to be done to ensure Afghan troops can take the lead in most operations by the end of 2014, The Hill reported. He said U.S. commanders have adapted their strategy "to look beyond 2014" so the insurgency won't rekindle after foreign forces leave.

He said the strategy shift has reassured Afghans and instilled a measure of concern among the Taliban.

A Washington Post-ABC News poll found 64 percent of those surveyed don't think the Afghan war is worth the price.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the ranking Republican on the committee, said Americans "and especially this Congress ... must remain committed."

Instead of starting the withdrawal of American forces this summer, McCain suggested a "reinvestment" of U.S. troops within Afghanistan might be necessary, moving forces from less secure to safer areas.

Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., said he wants to see Afghan security, police and military forces expanded by 70,000 positions.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., issued a statement calling for an end to U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, saying the war hasn't ended the terrorist threat or advanced democracy in the country, and is too costly.

"In the name of moral decency and fiscal sanity, it's time to bring the troops home," Woolsey said.