WASHINGTON — The No. 2 U.S. general in Afghanistan is predicting that Taliban forces this spring will attempt to reassert themselves by focusing more on assassinating Afghan political leaders in order to undermine support for the government. Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez told a Pentagon news conference that he believes that after a winter lull, the Taliban will try to reassert itself with a new strategy. He said the strategy is likely to include what he called "assassination hit teams."
Rodriguez also expressed confidence that U.S. and Afghan forces can improve co-ordination with the Pakistani military to put more pressure on insurgents.
Rodriguez said that even if the Pakistani army does not launch an offensive in the North Waziristan area the U.S. and NATO can still be successful in Afghanistan.
