Congress’ favorite man in uniform, Gen. David Petraeus, returns to the Hill Tuesday morning for the first time since becoming the Afghanistan war’s commander in July. Over the next two days, you’ll hear him explain why his counterinsurgency strategy is making progress — or “arresting Taliban momentum,” as the phrase goes — however tenuous those may can be.

You may hear him talk about all the insurgents his NATO troops have killed and captured. And you may hear him talk up security gains in Helmand Province’s Nawa District as proof that his approach is working.

The Senate Armed Services Committee is up first, and there are some certainties to expect. Right-wing senators will try to get Petraeus to reject the Obama administration’s deadline to begin transitioning troops out of Afghanistan in July (meaningless as that date might be). Left-wing senators will try to get Petraeus to overpraise the Afghan security forces, to hasten the U.S. departure.

Everyone will try to get some certainty on how many troops will leave Afghanistan in July, and the parts of Afghanistan they’ll be departing.

But many other questions are likely to be overlooked. So here’s what we’d ask, if anyone would ever elect us to high office. (Shudder.) Add your own questions in the comments. We’ll be at the hearing to figure out if we get any clarity on the war out of Petraeus, or learn anything new about the political will in Congress to keep the Afghanistan war going.

Photo: ISAF