The top US Marine is questioning the Obama administration’s non-binding timetable for beginning a US withdrawal from Afghanistan next year. On Tuesday, General James Conway said the July 2011 target date is boosting the morale of Taliban fighters.

Gen. James Conway: “In terms of the July '11 issue, you know, I think if you — if you follow it closely, and of course we all do, we know the President was talking to several audiences at the same time when he made his comments on July 2011. In some ways, we think, right now, it's probably giving our enemy sustenance. We think that he may be saying to himself — in fact we’ve intercepted communications that say, 'Hey, you know, we only have to hold out for so long.'”

Conway went on to say he thinks the withdrawal will be pushed back at least “a few years” because Afghan troops won’t be ready to assume full control.