Choice to oversee 2 wars calls Afghan fight his immediate top priority

Central Command nominee: Afghan war is his top job

WASHINGTON — The general chosen to be the new top boss for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq says the Afghan fight is his first priority.

Marine Gen. James Mattis told senators on Tuesday that if confirmed as chief of U.S. Central Command, he will immediately focus on the Afghan fight. He said the stakes are high, and that the United States and its partners are the “good guys” in a long struggle.

Mattis says he stands by the current Afghan war strategy.

Mattis would take over from Gen. David Petraeus as Centcom chief. The region includes the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan.