Many are doubting President Barack Obama's July 2011 deadline for pulling U.S. troops out of Afghanistan, including former Marine chief Gen. James Conway.

The recently-retired Marine Corp commandant said troops may be able to pull out in some regions of Afghanistan by the deadline, but doubts a withdrawal in the southern region.

"Counter-insurgencies just take time," Conway said. "I hope the focus is not ... time constraints as much as it is the will to win."

CBN News Military Reporter Chuck Holton offered more insight on the situation in Afghanistan and President Obama's deadline to withdraw troops.  Click play for his comments.

Offensive operations by U.S. troops have been going on in the south's Helmand and Kandahar provinces for months.

"There's still significant fighting in both places and both places represent the birthplaces of the Taliban," Conway added.

The White House said the pace of the withdrawal will be based on conditions on the ground in Afghanistan. NATO plans to discuss the security process for the withdrawal at a summit next month in Portugal.