"We've seen what can be accomplished in five or six months" and his Marines are confident they can build on what they've done so far in southern Afghanistan now that more U.S. forces are headed their way, Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson told All Things Considered's Robert Siegel earlier today.
Nicholson, who commands Marines in southern Afghanistan, told Robert that his forces "are preparing for a tough fight" as they move into parts of Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan where Taliban fighters are entrenched. "We will prepare for the worst and certainly hope for the best," he said.
Given the hard, dangerous work that's ahead, Robert wondered how confident Nicholson is that the U.S. will be able to accomplish its mission in the 18 months or so that President Barack Obama has said will be needed before security can start to be handed over to Afghan forces. Nicholson said he's sure it can be done because he's seen what Marines have already done — a story he believes has been underreported.
Some said U.S. forces couldn't achieve success in Iraq, Nicholson said. "We didn't believe it then and frankly we don't believe it now," he said of the prospects in Afghanistan:
Much more from Robert's conversation with Nicholson is due on today's ATC. Click here to find an NPR station near you.
Nicholson, left, with Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in Afghanistan this fall.
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