NATO MEETING
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta speaks with U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, at a meeting of NATO defense minsters in Brussels, Feb. 2, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta speaks with U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, at a meeting of NATO defense minsters in Brussels, Feb. 2, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
Officials: Longterm Commitment For U.S. Forces In Afghanistan - -Washington Times
Top U.S. intelligence officials are downplaying talk of an early U.S. pullout from Afghanistan, saying American combat forces will stay there until the end of 2014 and there would be a substantial commitment for much longer than that.
CIA Director David H. Petraeus told lawmakers Thursday that the media had overblown comments by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, who told reporters Wednesday that the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan would transition to a support mission next year.
“It was a startling overanalysis [of Mr. Panetta’s comments], not a startling announcement,” Mr. Petraeus said during a hearing of the House Intelligence Committee.
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My Comment: The damage has already been done. Nato members are now pouncing on Panetta's remarks to plan their own departure, the Afghans are freaking out, and the Taliban now feel victory is in their grasp.