Afghanistan war

Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan suggests fight will take longer

Lingering problems with local security forces and the resurgence of Taliban fighters may force U.S. troops to stay longer in Afghanistan than previously planned, the top American military commander in the region suggested on Tuesday.

In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Army Gen. John Campbell — head of U.S. Forces Afghanistan — said that local security forces "cannot handle the fight alone" without assistance from foreign allies and gaining that capability will take "well beyond this year."