The top US commander in Afghanistan said Wednesday that more troops are needed in Afghanistan as quickly as possible, warning the insurgency in the country could worsen, DPA reported. General David McKiernan said Afghanistan also urgently needs economic and political assistance to defeat al-Qaeda militants and a resurgent Taliban as violence in the country this year has risen to the highest level in years. "We are in a tough fight," McKiernan told reporters at the Pentagon. "So the idea that it might get worse before it gets better is certainly a possibility in Afghanistan." McKiernan was in Washington to meet with President George W Bush to discuss increasing US troop levels next year and ways to persuade NATO allies to also contribute more soldiers. "The additional military capabilities that have been asked for are needed as quickly as possible," McKiernan said. Three US combat brigades, which consist of 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers each, are due to arrive in Afghanistan next year. There are about 45,000 US soldiers already in the country, about half under NATO command.
