Top US general warns of tough year in Afghanistan

American General David Petraeus, Commander of U.S. Central Command. File photo: AP.

The man who oversees U.S. forces in both the Iraq and Afghan wars says the fighting in Afghanistan 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.

Gen. Petraeus, who heads the U.S. Central Command, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. As the architect of the successful troop build-up 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 Gen. Petraeus also said he envisions “tough fighting and periodic setbacks.”