Lieberman, Mullen agree US needs to prove its commitment to the war, region

Sen: More US roops shows commitment to Afghan war

WASHINGTON — A top U.S. military commander and leading senator agree that the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan are watching for signs of America’s commitment to their region.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., suggested Tuesday that sending more U.S. troops, as well as military trainers, to war-torn Afghanistan would help prove that America is planning to stay and help protect locals from the Taliban and extremists.

Without more U.S. combat troops, Lieberman said Afghans are “essentially going to decide we’re on our way out.”

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen said he agreed that Afghans and Pakistanis are “waiting on the sidelines to see how committed we are.”

He said, however, that it was a more complicated process than just sending more troops or trainers.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. military officer says that winning in Afghanistan will probably mean sending more troops.

Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says he does not know how many more troops the commanding general will request. Mullen also told Congress Tuesday that a debate over the right mix of forces and other resources will be held in the coming weeks.

But Mullen says that if the general, Stanley McChrystal, is going to do his job of countering the Taliban insurgency correctly, more forces are probably required. Mullen has been sounding increasingly glum about the prospects for the war, which will enter its ninth year this fall and on Tuesday he asked the Senate Armed Services Committee for time and patience to turn the war around.