General: No rush to set post-2014 US force size

WASHINGTON (AP) — The commander of US and allied forces in Afghanistan is telling Congress that he would like to assess the combat performance of the Afghan army this summer before deciding how many foreign troops to keep there after 2014.

Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford told a Senate panel on yesterday that he is not yet recommending a specific number of forces for the period after the allied combat role ends in December 2014.

Dunford's comments drew a sharp rebuke from Sen. John McCain, who called it a "tragic and terrible mistake" to not tell Afghans as soon as possible exactly what they can count on from the US military after 2014.

Dunford cited the importance of seeing how Afghan forces perform this fighting season — their first in the lead combat role.