U.S. Army Sgt. William Russell, center, speaks with an Afghan man, left, through a translator during a key leader engagement in Farah City in Afghanistan's western Farah province, Nov. 18, 2012. Russell is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Josh Ives
US Plans To Keep 10,000 Troops In Afghanistan After 2014 -- The Guardian
White House wants small US force to stay on in Afghanistan for training and counter-terrorism against al-Qaida, papers report
The long-term US military presence in Afghanistan is likely to be a "light footprint" of about 10,000 American troops, boosted by a few thousand more soldiers from Nato allies, according to US media reports.
Most foreign combat troops are expected to be out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014, a deadline agreed by Nato and Kabul a few years ago. The White House favours keeping a small force on the ground for some years after that, although diplomats insist they are not seeking permanent bases. Troops would stay to train the Afghan security forces, which still need help with everything from bomb detection to medical evacuation and fuel supplies, and run counter-terrorism campaigns, particularly along the lawless border with Pakistan.
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My Comment: That is not enough soldiers to train the Afghan military .... nor hold any territory. Some special operations may be conducted, but they will be dependent on Afghan intelligence. So .... why keep such a military level in a war zone? Your guess is as good as mine.
1 comment:
And the administration waited until after the election to announce the news. Imagine that . . .
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