WASHINGTON (AP) — Skeptical lawmakers grilled top civilian and military leaders Wednesday about the war in Afghanistan, questioning the pace of progress and escalating cost of the conflict.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates challenged what he said was an overly negative “narrative” that has circulated among officials and the media in Washington in the last week, insisting at a Senate budget hearing that progress is being made.
Gates spoke after Gen. David Petraeus tried to reassure worried lawmakers at a separate hearing that there will be an orderly withdrawal of troops from the war in Afghanistan — not a rush for the exits starting July 2011.
Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington told Gates she was concerned about rising casualties.
