U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta addresses the traveling press at the conclusion of meetings of NATO defense minsters in Brussels, Feb. 2, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
Panetta Comment Prompts Questions, Concerns In Afghanistan -- Washington Post
KABUL — Afghan security forces learned Wednesday that they may inherit their country’s 10-year-old conflict earlier than expected, leaving soldiers and officials here to question whether the looming security handover is a testament to their own progress or a product of American politics.
U.S. and NATO officials sought Thursday to clarify Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta’s announcement a day earlier that the United States intends to complete U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan by 2013, shifting to a training, advisory and assistance role before Western troops depart at the end of 2014. But the prospect of an expedited security transition still stirred concern, given the insurgency’s resilience in large swaths of the south and east, with questions of preparedness tempering pride in the progress of the nation’s army and police.
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My Comment: When I heard Panetta's remarks yesterday I gave a big hoorahhhh. Unfortunately my happiness was short lived .... the White House (today) is already back-tracking from Panetta's remarks.