Afghanistan Will Be Able To Defend Itself By 2014, According To U.S. Defense Chiefs

KUNAR CONGRATULATIONS - An Afghan National Army soldier smiles and shakes hands with U.S. Army Spc. Joshua D. Heinbuch after discovering a cache of weapons in Dag Mene, a village in eastern Kunar province, Afghanistan, Nov. 4, 2010. Heinbuch is an infantryman is assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's Company C, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell

Afghanistan Can Defend Itself By 2014, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Adm. Mike Mullen Say -- New York Daily News

Afghanistan will be ready to defend itself by 2014, top Pentagon officials said Monday.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen both back Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's proposal to turn over security responsibilities to Afghans in four years.

"As a target at this point that makes sense," Mullen told reporters during a trip to Australia. Mullen, however, added, "we're clearly not there yet."

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan Being Ready To Defend Itself

Pentagon chiefs: Afghans can manage by 2014 -- AP
U.S. says Afghan handover in 2014 realistic -- Reuters
David Cameron concedes: no Afghan withdrawal in 2011 -- The Telegraph
UK to stay in Afghanistan "as long as it takes" -- Reuters
Chief of the Defence Staff hints Afghanistan withdrawal might not begin in 2011 -- The Telegraph
General David Petraeus draws up timetable for Afghanistan withdrawal -- The Australian
Some Skeptics Questioning Rosy Reports on War Zone -- New York Times
US begins handing over bases to Afghan military -- Boston.com
Afghan mission too vital to abandon -- Anthony Burke and Andrew Phillips, The Australian

My Comment: When I read reports like this one, I become very skeptical that the Afghan security forces can be ready in ten years .... let alone by 2014. But the White House wants a withdrawal from Afghanistan asap .... and so the public discourse is one of emphasizing positive developments and projecting a confidence that Afghan security forces and the corrupt regime of President Karzai will be able to maintain security by 2014 (if not sooner).