Confirmation hearing scheduled for Allen, Dunford

While neither nomination is considered controversial, the
hearing will likely be an opportunity for senators to grill both generals about
the U.S. plan in Afghanistan.

{mosads}Allen is currently preparing an assessment for drawing down
U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2013 and 2014, ahead of the planned security
hand-off to Afghan forces at the end of 2014.

The Pentagon has not laid out its plans between now and the
end of 2014, and there is disagreement over how quickly the United States
should withdraw the 68,000 troops remaining in Afghanistan.

Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) has
advocated for a continued reduction of U.S. forces through 2013, while ranking
member John McCain (R-Ariz.) and other hawks have said that the military should
consider keeping all 68,000 there through the fighting season.