Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway said Tuesday that it will likely be a few years before Afghanistan is secure enough for the US Marines to leave.
Conway added that said intelligence intercepts suggest that Taliban fighters have been encouraged by the talk of the US beginning to withdraw troops next year, but said that the perception that the US is pulling out completely is likely to work in its favor after the deadline passes and Marines are still fighting insurgents. He said that is likely to drop Taliban morale.