Romney has muted attacks on Obama’s Afghan strategy despite several recent milestones regarding the future of the conflict.

Afghan president Hamid Karzai will likely flee Afghanistan after American troops withdraw from the country in 2014, leaving the country's fledgling central government to fend for itself against the Taliban, according to one GOP lawmaker. 

The topline: Three top Obama administration officials are headed to Capitol Hill Wednesday morning to try to persuade the Senate to ratify the “Law of the Sea” Treaty.

The Obama administration is trying to pass the treaty after it failed five years ago, which the administration argues is important to create a new legal framework for resolving territorial disputes.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey will testify to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to make their case for Senate ratification.

But the treaty, which has been signed by 160 countries, faces resistance in the Senate led by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), as critics argue it would impede the U.S. Navy’s ability to operate as it sees fit could lead to the redistribution of oil-and-gas royalties.

A conservative lobbying push against the treaty is being lead by Heritage Action, and DeMint has at least 24 senators on a letter opposing the treaty. The House also passed an amendment in the defense authorization bill that would block funding to finance the treaty.

Afghan president Hamid Karzai and Pakistani prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will hash out a number of issues, from reopening U.S. supply lines to terrorist safe havens in Pakistan, during talks scheduled for next week. 

A Senate report says 70 percent of fake parts come from China. Pentagon says risk is with all foreign contractors.

Levin said he was "satisfied" with the language and was confident the administration would appeal a ruling striking the provisions.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher was barred from entering Afghanistan after remarks on alleged corruption in Karzai's government.

U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker is planning to leave his post, which could come as early as this month, according to reports.

Reuters first reported Crocker’s departure Monday evening, which broke as the NATO summit on Afghanistan was concluding, and said it could happen as soon as this month.

An embassy spokesman in Afghanistan confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the ambassador was planning to step down.

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Rep. Dana Rohrabacher has been severely critical of the Afghanistan government and has accused President Karzai of corruption.