UK opposition: Afghanistan exit strategy in doubt

LONDON (AP) -- Some British lawmakers say NATO's decision to scale back operations with Afghan soldiers and policemen risks undermining the entire international mission in Afghanistan, and denting already fragile public support.

Top opposition Labour Party legislator Douglas Alexander says it's not yet clear whether the decision was a "temporary tactical response by military commanders" or "a more strategic shift in the mission."

Another Labour lawmaker, Denis MacShane, says the change appears to reverse "the whole axis of U.S. and U.K. strategy in Afghanistan."

Amid a spike in insider attacks, NATO has announced that its troops will no longer routinely carry out operations such as patrolling or manning outposts with their Afghan counterparts.

Foreign Secretary William Hague insists the impact will be "quite minimal" on operations by the U.K.'s 9,500 troops.