This year will be tougher for allied forces in Afghanistan: Patraeus

The general in charge of the US operations in Afghanistan General David Petraeus has warned this year will be difficult and will bring periodic setbacks for allied forces.General David Petraeus, briefing Congress on the prospects in Afghanistan, said 2010 will be a tough year. The going is likely to get harder before it gets easier, he said. As we seek to expand security for the people and to take from the Taliban control of key areas, the enemy will fight back. General Petraeus says the international forces will not see the dramatic reduction in violence that occurred six months after a similar surge began in Iraq. But he told the Senate panel he still expects 40,000 fewer US forces to be in Afghanistan by the end of August.