Obama team presents benchmarks for Afghan War

[Enrique]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iG88cDtJgpQ0PRHl3cOwPcC_Syfw

WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama's aides on Wednesday presented senators with a list of benchmarks to measure progress in Afghanistan amid growing concern among lawmakers over the war.

The list of "metrics" sets out indicators to evaluate the US-led mission, covering levels of violence, the volume of narcotics trafficking and more subjective criteria such as public perceptions of the Kabul government and its police and judiciary.

The draft list, which covers both Afghanistan and Pakistan, was presented to senators in a closed-door session attended by senior administration defense, intelligence and State Department officials.

With members of Obama's party voicing increasing anxiety about the open-ended US commitment in Afghanistan, lawmakers have urged the White House to produce benchmarks to show how progress can be assessed.

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