General: Kandahar results to take months

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan said Thursday the success or failure of a push for control of an area considered key to winning the war can’t be judged until the end of the year.

Control of the southern city of Kandahar is considered is essential to declare a win. A Taliban stronghold since before the 2001 terrorist attacks, the city has remained in the hands of insurgents throughout the eight-year war.

In a Pentagon press conference, Gen. Stanley McChrystal described the operation as a “slow, rising tide” of security aimed at giving the Afghan government an opportunity to take control.

Gen. McChrystal said he will know the operation succeeded when the people of Kandahar swing behind the local government.