Top general: ‘Enduring’ US presence in Afghanistan

McCain said he hopes to have a full Senate confirmation vote on Nicholson sometime next week.

Nicholson would succeed Army Gen. John Campbell, who is expected to retire. He noted that the general has served in multiple related capacities, including as chief of staff of operations for the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, as director of the Pakistan/Afghanistan coordination cell for the Joint Staff, and as deputy commander for stability in ISAF Regional Command South.

Armed Services committee members questioned whether the United States was doing enough to ensure success in Afghanistan where there is a plan to reduce American troops by 40 percent by 2016’s end. The president broke from that promise last October, saying 5,500 would remain there after the end of this year. Nicholson praised Afghan troops as “born fighters”, but said building aspects of the Afghan military is slow work, especially its air force and casualty evacuation capabilities. Nicholson now heads NATO’s Allied Land Command in Turkey, which is responsible for the readiness of NATO’s land forces. He has served there for a combined three and a half years, more than any other USA general, said Sen. The Taliban is at perhaps its strongest point since the war began, showing force across long-restive Helmand province, waging pitched battles against US-sponsored Afghan forces that last hours and leave U.S. special forces dead and wounded.

He also highlighted the potential for breaking from the current restrictions on USA forces in Afghanistan, now limited to training, advising and assisting the Afghans, and conducting counterterrorism operations against a select group of extremist groups that does not include the Taliban, or the Haqqani network, both of which enjoy safe havens in the tribal regions of Pakistan.

“Sir, I’d be concerned that we would not be able to perform our counter-terrorism mission”, responded Nicholson.

The report also notes that following the departure of most foreign forces in Afghanistan two years ago, the Taliban have significantly increased their influence in the country by seizing a number of districts and inflicting sizable losses on government forces.

“As the security situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate, it makes no strategic or military sense to continue the withdrawal of American forces”, said committee chairman Sen.

Though several senators enthusiastically endorsed Nicholson’s nomination, his confirmation still needs to be approved by the full Senate.