A new high-level review of the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan says the situation is "serious" but "achievable."
U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal -- the commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan -- has been conducting the strategic review for the past two months.
His report is now being sent to the Pentagon and NATO headquarters, said a statement released by NATO on Monday.
"The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort," McChrystal said in the statement, according to reports.
In the statement, NATO said McChrystal's review doesn't include a request for more troops -- an issue that is expected to be considered separately.
McChrystal, who has more than 100,000 troops under his command, was put in charge of the mission in June by U.S. President Barack Obama.
He has been working on the review since being named to the high-profile post.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates ordered the review in order to get a handle on the security situation in Afghanistan amid rising Taliban attacks and mounting U.S. deaths.
The U.S. death toll for August is the highest yet in the eight-year conflict, with 47 soldiers killed.
According to Fen Hampson, a foreign policy expert from Ottawa's Carleton University, NATO will be looking for a strategic shift in the coming months.
"There needs to be a change in direction," Hampson told 麻豆影视 Channel Monday. In particular, he said NATO is asking for a "unity of effort" from its members.
"That's codeword for the allies doing more, stepping up to the plate, possibly with more troops," he said.
Equally, Hampson said the Afghan mission will likely move from a strategy of offence to one of defence, including protecting towns and ramping up economic assistance.
"That is what's going to erode the support for the Taliban insurgency," Hampson said, adding that a vital local economy will give Afghans "fewer incentives" to take up arms for the Taliban
Meanwhile, NATO said McChrystal's assessment is designed to help the military meet Obama's goals of reducing the "capacity and will" of insurgents, and to support the growth and development of Afghanistan's military and government.
The report comes as Afghans and NATO countries alike anxiously await the results of tense presidential elections held on Aug. 20.
So far, current president Hamid Karzai is in the lead, but not likely with enough of an edge over his main challenger Abdullah Abdullah, to avoid a run-off vote.
Widespread allegations of corruption and voter fraud have marred the election.
In one instance a U.S. helicopter carrying full ballot boxes accidentally dropped them over a mountainous region of the country.
