President Barack Obama's choice for US ambassador to Afghanistan says making progress in the country is hard but it is not hopeless, according to AP. In prepared testimony, Ryan Crocker said the killing of Osama bin Laden in neighboring Pakistan was an important step toward disrupting al-Qaida. But he says much work remains to be done to ensure al-Qaida never threatens the U.S. from Afghanistan again. Crocker was testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The panel was expected to swiftly approve his nomination. Crocker said progress in Afghanistan has been significant but is still fragile and reversible. The U.S. is expected to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan next month. The Obama administration has not yet said how many of the 100,000 troops will leave initially. -- SPA
