WASHINGTON — The top commander in Afghanistan said Thursday he prefers a significant American force of 68,000 to combat insurgents in 2013, signaling a potential halt in the drawdown and complicating any effort by President Barack Obama to speed up troop withdrawals after more than a decade of war.
Marine Gen. John Allen insisted he will hold off on a recommendation on the pace of further reductions until after the 23,000-member surge force leaves Afghanistan by the end of September. But in his most explicit comments in two days of congressional testimony, Allen indicated he envisions no other withdrawals beyond that cut this year and expressed his preference for next year.
Obama faces increasing political and public pressure to accelerate the timetable for withdrawing U.S. forces.
Within the White House, officials have discussed the size of the force next year with potential withdrawal numbers and scenarios, including the possibility of bringing home additional forces in the final months of 2012.
Allen made it clear that the last three months of the year will be his time to assess the force and the threat — with an announcement likely after Election Day.
