WASHINGTON (AP) -- Lawmakers are calling the screening process for Afghan troops "tragically weak."
U.S. military officials have been providing Congress with details of more than 45 attacks by supposedly friendly Afghan security forces against U.S. and other coalition troops since 2007. According to Pentagon data, the problem is getting worse, with 75 percent of the attacks coming in the last two years.
Officials say most of the attacks have come from Afghans "acting intentionally" but without any direct guidance from outside insurgent groups. They say the attackers generally have had personal motivations, grievances, ideological differences or combat stress.
At a hearing on Capitol Hill today, members of the House Armed Services committee demanded that the U.S. respond more quickly when suspicions arise that someone might be a threat.
Defense officials say they have beefed up the vetting process, but warn there's no way to eliminate the problem. Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary David Sedney noted that working in partnership with Afghan forces is critical to U.S. military strategy.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)