Senate Armed Forces Chairman Recommends Surge Of Afghan Forces

By Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service

Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.) called Friday for a significant increase in the size of Afghanistan’s security forces.

“We need a surge of Afghan security forces, we have not done enough to put that into motion,” Levin said during a press conference.

Levin stated he would like to see least 240,000 Afghan security forces on the ground by 2012.

According to Levin, a series of steps to help the Afghan security forces will be made to ensure that sufficient man power, equipment and support will be there to help the Afghan forces with their efforts.

Levin added that the immediate goal in Afghanistan should be to reduce the American presence in the country.

Levin set out three major goals in regard to Afghan forces: Putting more trainers on the ground, a major effort to transfer equipment and supplies from Iraq to the Afghanistan army and police, and a concerted effort to separate the local Taliban from their leaders.

“If this plan can be put into place by reintegrating Taliban forces we can turn this thing around”, said Levin.

Levin commented on the halted nomination process for Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.) to be appointed as Secretary Of The Army by President Obama, stating that there were discussions within the administration. Levin said he was hopeful there would be a vote by next week.

When asked about the apparent lack of police coordination surrounding reports made from news organizations that misinterpreted a Friday morning coast guard training exercise, Levin remarked “I’m surprised … That kind of coordination should exist”.