Afghanistan would deteriorate quickly if the U.S. withdraws completely by the end of 2014, a senior American commander has warned.
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, General Joseph Dunford said the Taliban would view the withdrawal as a victory.
He added that post withdrawal Al Qaeda would be inspired to return, women would suffer, and the Afghan security forces would not be able to complete necessary training.
According to Fox News, Dunford said a withdrawal meant abandoning the people of Afghanistan, and providing al Qaeda the space to plan and conduct operations against the West.
Dunford was most concerned with leaving before the Afghan security forces are ready to be entirely independent.
