Obama administration officials testified about the president's plan to raise troop levels in Afghanistan as part of a revised strategy to disengage forces beginning in July 2011. Secretary Gates said in his testimony that the start of any withdrawal would be based on a review to be conducted in December 2010, and probably would occur district by district or province by province, as Afghan forces are ready to take over. Members also questioned witnesses on the wisdom of setting deadlines, the ability of the Afghan government to stand up military and civilian security institutions, and the placement of additional U.S. troops in Afghanistan.