New commander picked to lead U.S. troops in Afghanistan sees 'generational' conflict

Lt. Gen. Austin Miller, nominated to serve as the next commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, appeared on Capitol Hill today with his son, an Army lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne, and acknowledged the 17-year conflict has become "generational."

"I actually recall conversations of people who were out over Christmas in 2001 talking about that they were doing this so their kids did not have to," Miller told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his nomination hearing.

"This young guy sitting behind me?" Miller said, referencing his son, Austin. "I never anticipated his cohort being in a position to deploy as I sat there in 2001 and looked at that."

But Miller said the U.S. military effort in Afghanistan has been "disruptive" to terrorist groups that would plot to attack the United States. He pledged that, if confirmed, he would be committed to protecting "vital national interests" by working with the Afghan government and military to deny terrorist groups a safe haven.

Still, Miller said, "I can't guarantee you a time line or an end date."

There are today 16,000 U.S. troops assisting and training the Afghan security forces, according to the Pentagon. Approximately 65 percent of the Afghan population lives in areas controlled or influenced by the government of Afghanistan, while 12 percent live in areas controlled or influenced by Taliban insurgents.

Some senators expressed concern that the United States continues to pour resources into Afghanistan without a defined goal for withdrawal.

"Unfortunately, you are not the first commander to come in here and express cautious optimism," Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said. "We supposedly turned a corner so many times that it now seems we are going in circles."

Miller said he understands the committee's frustration, but repeated statements made by U.S. government officials about the "catastrophic" dangers of "precipitous" withdrawal. He stressed that success in Afghanistan cannot be achieved by "military means alone."

Warren said she fears "we're heading deeper down a path that does not have success at the end."

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), however, said the United States must remain committed to Afghanistan because "the enemy is still there. And the enemy still gets a vote."

"I wish that you and all of those other lieutenants and captains who said in 2001 that they were there so their kids wouldn't have to be could have had that prediction come true," Cotton said. "But it's simply not the case."

Miller promised to be transparent with the committee in terms of military successes and challenges.

"I know this is having an effect on elements that would attack us," he said of the continued U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.

Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), who presided over the hearing, said he expects Miller to be confirmed by the full Senate, but told the general lawmakers will want to meet with him for a progress report after he assumes command.

"There is obviously an expectation that you'll bring something in that is going to offer something new," Inhofe said. "To continue to do the same thing that has led us into 17 years is not going to be acceptable. I think you are the right person, you have the right background, so we'll expect a major change from you."