Obama: time for transition in Afghanistan

U.S. President Barack Obama said he thinks NATO's approach to transitioning out of Afghanistan is appropriate and praised the U.S.military for its role. In a news conference Monday following the NATO summit in Chicago, Obama said there has been "real improvement in Afghanistan" and "genuine improvement in Afghan security forces. But gains are still fragile." Obama said 10 years of war has put a strain not only on the U.S. military but on Afghanistan as well, which he said has understandably grown "sensitive about its own sovereignty." "A large footprint over time can be counterproductive," he said. Obama said there never is going to be a perfect moment for withdrawal. "I don't think there's ever going to be an optimal point where we say … this is perfect … and we can wrap up our equipment and go home," he said. "It's a process and sometimes a messy process." Obama noted full withdrawal is still two years away. He said Afghans will never be prepared to take responsibility for their own security if they don't start accepting it now.