Afghan violence hits all-time high!
WASHINGTON - June 11, 2009 - The top U.S. war zone commander said violence hit an all-time high in Afghanistan last week.
General David Petraeus said there's no question that security in Afghanistan has deteriorated over the last two years. The general also told an audience Thursday that "there are still tough times ahead." He gave a speech at the Washington think-tank Center for a New American Security.
Petraeus leads U.S. Central Command, which spans from Egypt to Pakistan. The number of attacks last week in Afghanistan was not immediately available.
The general noted several challenges in Afghanistan he did not face in Iraq, such as the inability of U.S. troops to live among the local residents.
Meanwhile, NATO allies agree with the United States that progress must be shown in Afghanistan over the next year to 18 months, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday.
Gates said that after this summer's election in Afghanistan, he hopes "to see if we can shift the momentum."
