Congressman: Generals may quit if Obama stays pat in Afghanistan

A conservative congressman said on Thursday that top generals may resign or retire early if President Barack Obama does not make a significant changes to the military's Afghan strategy.

"Sure, I think that's a legitimate concern," Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) told Washington Times Radio this morning. "If the president chooses [not to readjust the strategy] but stay there, I think you'll see that kind of a thing happen, then I think you'll see those kinds of resignations."

Ryan expressed worry that the current strategy in Afghanistan is not working. Administration officials have said they are conducting a strategic review of the conflict there. He called for the White House to enact changes quickly.

"Right now we have a strategy that's not working. Our generals are telling us that it puts our soldiers at risk," he said.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, recently submitted his request for more troops to the Pentagon, which is currently being held their while the administration re-configures its strategy.

"Commanders in the field or the commanders at CENTCOM might conclude: 'look, if you're not going to give me what I need to win why would stay to stay here and try to manage this war if I don't think I can win,'" the sixth-term congressman added.