US can dramatically reduce 'insider attacks': General Dempsey

Dempsey says that insider attacks will not deter US, Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON: US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) General Martin Dempsey has said that while the US cannot fully prevent insider attacks by Afghan forces on US forces, they can dramatically reduce them.

Speaking at an event at the National Press Club, Gen. Dempsey said that they will come up with a number in early 2013 that will determine the US' long-term presence in Afghanistan.

He added that the Taliban are aware what the bonds between US and Afghan security forces are like, and it will lead to Taliban's defeat.

Gen. Dempsey maintained that while insider attacks were serious, the US and Afghanistan are determined that these attacks will not deter them.

Insider attacks have severely affected US troops in Afghanistan. ISAF command had severely restricted most joint patrols and advisory work with Afghan troops, decreeing that such operations will now only be conducted at the battalion level and above, while cooperation with smaller units will have to be “evaluated on a case-by-case basis and approved by RC (regional) commanders.”