Reply #5

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Sunday defended the Obama administration’s plans to wind down the more than decade-long war in Afghanistan, saying the U.S. is on “the right track.’’

“We still have a fight on our hands,’’ Panetta said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.’’

“The American people need to know that. The world needs to know that … but we’re on the right track,’’ he added.

Last week, NATO allies affirmed a plan to end combat operations inside Afghanistan by the end of 2014. Republicans, including Mitt Romney, have criticized President Barack Obama’s insistence on setting a firm timetable for the war because they say it shows a lack of commitment to the region and encourages enemy fighters to wait out a U.S. departure.

http://articles.boston.com/2012-05-27/news/31869940_1_abbottabad-afghanistan-defense-secretary-leon-panetta