In a report after visiting Afghanistan, he said, "We need all the high-level diplomatic support we can to master the diplomatic complexities of fighting against an enemy holed up in two countries, as well as navigating the complex regional politics", adding: "Our best estimates show there to be no more than 5,000 al-Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They operate out of areas in southern and eastern Afghanistan and on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. Do we really need to occupy an entire country of around 30 million people to root out 5,000 enemies?
In his report following a visit to Afghanistan, he remarked, "We require all high-level diplomatic support for managing the complex diplomacy against an enemy in two countries and navigating regional politics," and then noted: "Our best estimates show there are no more than 5,000 al-Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They operate from southern and eastern parts of Afghanistan and along the border with Pakistan. Do we really need to occupy a country of around 30 million people solely for eliminating these 5,000 enemies?