Gen. John Nicholson Jr. testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to become the next top American commander in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
(VOVworld) - President Barack Obama's nominee to be the next U.S. commander in Afghanistan said on Thursday the security situation in the war-torn country was deteriorating and assured senators he will do a thorough review of American troop levels needed to stabilize the nation. Army Lt. Gen. John W. "Mick" Nicholson Jr. told the Senate Armed Services Committee he will have a better sense of conditions in Afghanistan within a few months if he is confirmed by the Senate. Nicholson would succeed Gen. John F. Campbell, who is expected to retire.

He said Afghan forces have some shortcomings in areas such as intelligence collection, assessment and dissemination and Afghan air support, both fixed-wing and helicopter, adding that one of the Afghan forces’ most critical duties is their casualty treatment and evacuation.