ISTANBUL — The top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan says the security situation there is no longer “deteriorating.”
The comments by Gen. Stanley McChrystal are in contrast to NATO and Afghan officials who say the Taliban is expanding its influence and creating an explosive situation.
McChrystal said he agrees that the Taliban has made strides and that he is “not prepared to say we’ve turned a corner.” But at the same time, he said, the Afghan government is making real progress and he is feeling more optimistic than last summer when he warned the situation was deteriorating.
McChrystal said the change came largely because of hard fighting by Afghan, U.S. and NATO forces. In a briefing with reporters today between NATO meetings in Istanbul, McChrystal said allied nations have paid for the improvements in lost lives.
Talk to us
- You can tell us about news and ask us about our journalism by emailing newstips@heraldnet.com or by calling 425-339-3428.
- If you have an opinion you wish to share for publication, send a letter to the editor to letters@heraldnet.com or by regular mail to The Daily Herald, Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
- More contact information is here.
