被提名统领美国和北约驻阿富汗军队的彼得雷乌斯将军警告说，联军和越来越猖獗的塔利班判军在阿富汗作战，仍面临苦战。
彼得雷乌斯将军星期二在美国国会参议院军事委员会为他举行的认可任职听证会上承认，阿富汗战争面临挑战。他指出，虽然有迹象表明取得进展，但联军面临着“强大的反叛势力”，与此同时，还要训练阿富汗部队，建立地方政府治理。
预计，彼得雷乌斯会作为美国和北约部队在阿富汗新指挥官的确认任命，几乎不会遇到反对声音。彼得雷乌斯将取代退休的麦克里斯特尔将军。麦克里斯特尔是在他和他的助手发表了诋毁奥巴马政府官员的言论后退休的。
在周二的听证会上，参议员卡尔·莱文就阿富汗安全部队是否有能力接管本国的安全提出质疑。莱文指出，美国政府主计处周一公布的报告表示，阿富汗部队独立行动的能力被夸大了。
The U.S. general nominated to lead U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan is warning of a tough fight ahead as troops battle a growing Taliban insurgency.
General David Petraeus acknowledged challenges in the Afghan war effort during his confirmation hearing Tuesday in the Senate Armed Services Committee. He noted while there have been signs of progress, troops face an “industrial strength insurgency” while having to train Afghan forces and build up local governance.
Petraeus is expected to be confirmed as U.S commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan with little opposition. He replaces General Stanley McChrystal, who resigned last week after he and his aides made disparaging remarks about Obama administration officials.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Senator Carl Levin questioned the capability of Afghan security forces to take over security for their country. He noted a U.S. government audit released Monday that said the ability of Afghan troops to operate independently had been overstated.