WASHINGTON (AP) – The top American commander in Afghanistan is scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill amid concerns that worsening security conditions demand a greater number of U.S. forces.
Army Gen. John F. Campbell will appear Tuesday before the House Armed Services Committee. Members are expected to press him on President Barack Obama’s plan to cut American troop levels from 9,800 to 5,500 before he leaves office next January.
Obama had backtracked from his initial plan to cut the U.S. force down to 1,000 by the end of 2016.
Lawmakers want to ensure gains made in Afghanistan aren’t lost.
Violence is on the upswing 13 months after Obama declared an end to the combat mission in Afghanistan. The Taliban are staging new offensives and the Islamic State is seeking a presence there.