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December 2, 2008 8:33:23 PM CST

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US 'Running Out of Time' in Afghanistan: Defense Chiefs

Posted Sep 10, 08 7:59 PM CDT in US 

(Newser) – The top US military brass warned Congress today that America needs more troops and a better strategy in Afghanistan, the Washington Post reports. "I am not convinced that we're winning" there, said Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, though he added: "I'm convinced we can." He and defense chief Robert Gates called for more soldiers to help quell the growing number of militants on the Pakistan border.

"Frankly, we are running out of time," said Mullen. Asserting that we can't "kill our way to victory," Mullen also called for better coordination between the military and both the Pakistani government—for cross-border raids—and US civilian relief groups. Gates echoed the sentiment and said he's "still not satisfied" with the efforts of the Afghan government in particular.

Source Washington Post

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With Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen looking at left, Defense Secretary Robert Gates testifies on Capitol Hill Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, before the House Armed Services Committee.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Pakistani protesters burn a US flag and an effigy of President Bush to condemn alleged strikes in Pakistani tribal areas along Afghanistan border.   (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates testifies on Capitol Hill Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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Until we work more closely with the Pakistani government to eliminate the safe havens from which they operate, the enemy will only keep coming. - Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

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