Petraeus warns of tough year in Afghanistan - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Petraeus warns of tough year in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — The top American military commander in Afghanistan says the fighting there will "likely get harder before it gets easier" and predicts 2010 will be a difficult year.

On Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus said he expects the United States can reduce its forces as planned, from about 97,000 to 50,000 by the end of August.

Petraeus testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday. As the architect of the successful troop buildup in Iraq in 2007, his assessment of America's wars is closely watched in Congress. He said he expects U.S. forces will be able to reverse the momentum gained by Taliban militants in Afghanistan, but Petraeus also said he envisions "tough fighting and periodic setbacks."