WASHINGTON —  The top U.S. military officer says the Taliban is doing well right now, and it's no surprise that the militants would reject settlement talks with the Afghan government.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told The Associated Press in an interview that the Taliban feels confident enough in its success to, as he put it, negotiate from a position of strength.

Taliban leaders spurned an offer of negotiations on Monday, saying they would not entertain talks so long as foreign forces remain in Afghanistan.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.