Story highlights Obama's nominee to command forces in Africa testified

Lt. Gen. Thomas Waldhauser said more troops are needed to fight ISIS

Washington (CNN) In remarkably blunt testimony, President Barack Obama's nominee to command U.S. forces in Africa said Tuesday that more ground troops were needed in Libya to fight ISIS and agreed the current strategy of not bombing the terror group's affiliate there "makes no sense."

When asked by the committee's chairman, Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican, whether the U.S. had a strategy for Libya, Marine Lt. Gen. Thomas Waldhauser said he didn't know about one.

"I am not aware of any overall grand strategy at this point," Waldhauser said at his confirmation hearing to become commander of the Africa Command.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Repubilcan, asked him if it would be "wise" for him to have the authority to order strikes against ISIS without having to first seek White House approval, as is currently the case.

"It would be wise, it would certainly contribute to what we're trying to do inside Libya," Waldhauser responded.

Read More